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).