SM&FT 2006

 

Reflections on the academic career and the scientific activity of Ettore Majorana

 

 

Francesco Guerra

 

 

Abstract

 

Hundred years have elapsed from the birth of Ettore Majorana (August 5th, 1906), the great Theoretical Physicist, contemporary of Enrico Fermi, who disappeared at the end of March
1938, under still misterious circumstances. In this talk, by using original archive documents, we will try to describe the main features of his scientific personality, and  the phases of his academic career, beyond the many legends that have been accumulated on the subject.
Our treatment is based on research work, made in collaboration with Nadia Robotti, of the University of Genova.