Contents
Gerhard Herzberg
Using spectroscopy to reveal molecular structure.
Molecular structure · Chemical identification
- Born
- 25 December 1904
- Birthplace
- Hamburg
- Died
- 3 March 1999
More people
Gerhard Herzberg
German-Canadian scientist who investigated molecules and free radicals through their spectra. His research linked laboratory physics, chemistry and astronomical observation.
Early life
Hamburg and Darmstadt
Initially considered astronomy, then studied at Darmstadt with scholarship support. Completed his doctorate in 1928.
Career
- 1935
Move to Canada
Joined the University of Saskatchewan after leaving Nazi Germany.
- 1948
National Research Council
Established a long research base in Ottawa.
- 1971
Nobel Prize
Received the chemistry award for molecular spectroscopy.
Contributions
Molecular structure
Used light spectra to determine electronic structure and molecular geometry.
Chemical identification
Applied spectroscopic methods to astronomical objects.
Beyond work
Research and family
Married fellow spectroscopist Luise Oettinger in 1929. They left Germany after Nazi restrictions threatened their future.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and career ↗Biographical references ↗Original photograph. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
Photo: GFHund. CC BY 3.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.