Hertha Sponer (1895–1968) was a pioneering physicist from Germany whose research significantly advanced the early development of quantum mechanics and molecular spectroscopy. She focused on understanding the quantum behaviour of molecules, especially how electrons transition between energy levels in diatomic molecules—a critical step in applying quantum theory to real-world chemical systems.
Sponer’s work helped clarify the electronic spectra of molecules, providing key insights into how molecules absorb and emit light. Her studies contributed to refining the Born-Oppenheimer approximation, which separates nuclear and electronic motion in molecules, a fundamental concept in quantum chemistry that remains essential in modern molecular physics.
Trained under the eminent physicist Arnold Sommerfeld, and later collaborating with James Franck, Sponer was part of the vibrant community that shaped quantum theory in its formative years. Her precision in experimental spectroscopy combined with theoretical insights bridged gaps between physics and chemistry.
In 1936, she became the first woman on the physics faculty at Duke University, where she established a molecular spectroscopy laboratory and devoted herself to both research and teaching. For over two decades, she mentored students and continued to explore the quantum mechanics of molecular systems, paving the way for future generations of physicists.
Hertha Sponer’s work stands as a cornerstone in the understanding of molecular quantum mechanics and highlights her role as a trailblazer for women in science.
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