Hans G.A.
Hellmann and
the Hellmann-Award
The Hellmann award is to comemorate Hans G.A. Hellmann (1903-1938), a pioneer of Quantum Chemistry. It will be awarded periodically to honour the accomplishments of a promising young Theoretical Chemist.
Pseudopotentials
and Reactions: 100 Years Hellmann
Short
Biography in German
Short
Biography in English
Biographic
Article as pdf-file
Rules
of the Hellmann-Award
Awardees
Contributors
to the Hellmann-Award Fund
Contributions to the
Hellmann-Award Fund can be made by bank transfer to: »Deutsche
Bunsengesellschaft, Acc. No. 491 061 800, at Dresdner Bank Frankfurt,
bank code 500 800 00, code of purpose: 8110 (Hellmann fund)« --
(or by cash in a letter to Prof. Schwarz, Theoretical Chemistry,
University, 57068 Siegen, Germany, who will carry out the domestic
transfer). Formal receipts will be issued by the Bunsen Society for
Physical Chemistry.
Hans G.A.
Hellmann (1903-1938), born in Wilhelmshaven, northwest Germany, on
October 14, 1903, studied experimental physics in Stuttgart. As a
postdoc in Hannover he focused on the new science of Quantum
Chemistry. He discovered the molecular virial theorem and derived,
what is now known Hellmann-Feynman Theorem. He anticipated several
basic concepts explaining the nature of the chemical bond. He
developed the 'Diatomics in Molecules' approach and
especially, the effective core potential method for molecules and
solids, all this already in 1933/34. In 1937 he completed one of the
first textbook on quantum chemistry, covering and illuminating all
essential topics including intermolecular interactions as well as
diabatic and adiabatic reactions.
Hans Hellmann was forced to
leave Nazi-Germany in 1934, he changed to the Karpov Institute in
Moscow, where he was liquidated during the »Great Terror«
on May 29, 1938.
Hans G.A.
Hellmann (1903-1938) wurde am 14. Oktober 1903 in Wilhelmshaven
geboren; er studierte Experimentalphysik in Stuttgart. Als
Postdoktorand in Hannover wandte er sich dem neuen Fach der
Quantenchemie zu. Er fand den molekularen Virialsatz und leitete das
heute nach ihm benannte Hellmann-Feynman-Theorem Er nahm spätere
Vorstellungen zur Erklärung der chemischen Bindung vorweg; und
entwickelte die »Diatomics in Molecules« Methode und
insbesondere das Pseudopotentialverfahren sowohl für Moleküle
wie für Festkörper, das alles schon 1933/34. Er schrieb
eines der ersten Lehrbücher der Quantenchemie, das auch die
intermolekularen Wechselwirkungen und diabatische und adiabatische
Reaktionen behandelt.
Er mußte 1934 Nazi-Deutschland
verlassen und wurde während des Großen Terrors in der
Sowjetunion am 29.5.1938 liquidiert.
An extended biography and bibliography of Hellmann (in German) has appeared in Bunsen-Magazin 1999 (1) 10-21 and (2) 60-70. Reprints can be ordered by email from schwarz@chemie.uni-siegen.de, or by ordinary mail from Theoretische Chemie, Prof. W.H.E. Schwarz, University of Siegen, D-57068 Siegen, Germany. It is suggested to transfer 5 Euro (or 10 DM, corresponding to about 5 US$) per copy - or any higher amount - as a donation to the Hellmann-Award fund, by bank transfer to: »Deutsche Bunsengesellschaft, Acc. No. 491 061 800, at Dresdner Bank Frankfurt, bank code 500 800 00, code of purpose: 8110 (Hellmann fund)« -- (or by cash in a letter to Prof. Schwarz, address see above, who will carry out the domestic transfer).