Paul Dirac
The Man and his Work

A unique insight into Dirac's life and work, by four internationally respected physicists.

Abraham Pais (Author), Maurice Jacob (Author), David I. Olive (Author), Michael F. Atiyah (Author)

9780521583824, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 12 February 1998

144 pages, 28 b/w illus.
22.4 x 14.6 x 1.5 cm, 0.32 kg

' … this collection succeeds admirably in capturing the unique scope of Dirac's physics and in giving some insight into Dirac the man.' The Times Higher Education Supplement

Paul Adrien Maurice Dirac was one of the founders of quantum theory. He is numbered alongside Newton, Maxwell and Einstein as one of the greatest physicists of all time. Together the lectures in this volume, originally presented on the occasion of the dedication ceremony for a plaque commemorating Dirac in Westminster Abbey, give a unique insight into the relationship between Dirac's character and his scientific achievements. The text begins with the dedication address given by Stephen Hawking at the ceremony. Then Abraham Pais describes Dirac as a person and his approach to his work. Maurice Jacob explains how Dirac was led to introduce the concept of antimatter, and its central role in modern particle physics and cosmology, followed by an account by David Olive of the origin and enduring influence of Dirac's work on magnetic monopoles. Finally, Sir Michael Atiyah explains the deep and widespread significance of the Dirac equation in mathematics.

Preface Peter Goddard
Dirac memorial address Stephen Hawking
1. Paul Dirac: aspects of his life and work Abraham Pais
2. Antimatter Maurice Jacob
3. The monopole David Olive
4. The Dirac equation and geometry Michael F. Atiyah.

Subject Areas: Physics [PH]