Zernike biography
Zernike polynomials and wavefront fitting...
Physics History Network
Dates
July 16, 1888 – March 10, 1966
Authorized Form of Name
Zernike, Frits, 1888-1966
Additional Forms of Names
Zernike, F.
(Frits), 1888-1966
Abstract
Frits Zernike was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1953 "for his demonstration of the phase contrast method, especially for his invention of the phase contrast microscope." His invention of the phase contrast microscope was not recognized for its worth for many years, only gaining popularity when Nazi’s seized and duplicated the technology during WWII.
Zernike biography
Zernike held positions at University of Groningen his entire career.
Important Dates
July 16, 1888Birth, Amsterdam (Netherlands).
1912B.Sc in Chemistry, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (Netherlands).
1912Awarded a Gold Medal for work on opalescence in gases, Dutch Society of Science.
1913Assistant to Jacobus Kapteyn, Professor of Astronomy, University of Groningen, Groningen (Netherlands).
1915Lecturer in Mathematical Phy