Revisiting the discovery of nuclear fission – 75 years later

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Lander, Gerard H.^{a; *} | Steiner, Michael^b

Affiliations: [a] Institut Laue Langevin, Grenoble, France. E-mail: lander@ill.fr | [b] Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, Berlin, Germany. E-mail: steiner@helmholtz-berlin.de

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Gerard H. Lander, Long-term visitor, Institut Laue-Langevin, 38042 Grenoble, France. E-mail: lander@ill.fr.

Abstract: After an Introduction on the history of nuclear fission, we re-examine the scientific relationship between Otto Hahn and Lise Meitner in view of a number of newly published articles in the last two decades. We find the evidence overwhelming that they should have shared the Nobel Prize – rather than it being awarded to Hahn alone. In the post-war period Hahn’s actions are often difficult to understand, but we find no compelling evidence that he acted dishonourably.

Keywords: Fission, Hahn, Meitner

DOI: 10.3233/JNR-150018

Journal: Journal of Neutron Research, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 3-12, 2015