Enrico Fermi Biography and Timeline

Birth of Enrico Fermi

Enrico Fermi is born in Rome on 29 September 1901 and later becomes one of the leading physicists of the twentieth century.

Early Physics Studies

As a teenager, Fermi intensively studies mathematics and physics and begins performing experiments with his friend Enrico Persico.

Scuola Normale Superiore Fellowship

Wins a competitive fellowship to the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa and begins advanced university study in physics.

Pisa Physics Research

Undertakes advanced experimental and theoretical physics work at Pisa while developing an unusually broad command of contemporary physics.

Early Scientific Publication

Publishes early scientific work while still a student at Pisa, demonstrating growing expertise in theoretical and experimental physics.

Doctorate in Physics

Receives his doctorate in physics from the University of Pisa after completing studies at the Scuola Normale Superiore.

Relativity Research

Publishes work on relativistic mechanics and electrodynamics during the period immediately following completion of his doctorate.

Quantum Theory Studies

Studies emerging quantum theory in Göttingen and deepens his familiarity with the mathematical methods being applied to atomic physics.

Göttingen Fellowship

Spends several months in Göttingen on an Italian government fellowship working in the intellectual environment surrounding Max Born.

Florence Lectureship

Returns to Italy and becomes lecturer in mathematical physics and mechanics at the University of Florence.

Leiden Rockefeller Fellowship

Works in Leiden on a Rockefeller Fellowship with Paul Ehrenfest and becomes more closely connected to leading European theoretical physicists.

Quantum Gas Research

Investigates quantum gases and statistical problems that directly precede his formulation of Fermi statistics.

Fermi Gas Theory

Applies his new statistics to an ideal gas of particles subject to the Pauli exclusion principle and establishes the theoretical basis of a degenerate Fermi gas.

Rome Theoretical Physics Chair

Wins the newly created chair of theoretical physics at the University of Rome and begins building an influential research school.

Fermi-Dirac Electron Statistics

Develops quantum statistics for indistinguishable particles obeying the Pauli exclusion principle, providing the statistical framework now known as Fermi-Dirac statistics.

Rome Physics Group Formation

Builds a collaborative group of young physicists in Rome that later becomes famous for major advances in nuclear and particle physics.

Thomas-Fermi Atomic Model

Develops the statistical Thomas-Fermi model for estimating the distribution of electrons in many-electron atoms.

Introduction to Atomic Physics Teaching

Expands advanced teaching in atomic and theoretical physics at Rome and trains a generation of Italian physicists in modern quantum methods.

Royal Academy of Italy Membership

Is elected to the Royal Academy of Italy, receiving national recognition for his rapidly growing scientific reputation.

Quantum Electrodynamics Work

Pursues research in quantum electrodynamics and spectroscopic theory while leading the theoretical physics programme in Rome.

Rome Nuclear Physics Shift

Begins shifting the focus of his research group from atomic spectroscopy toward the emerging problems of nuclear physics.

Neutron Physics Programme

Recognizes the importance of the newly discovered neutron and starts directing increasing attention toward neutron-induced nuclear processes.

Beta Decay Theory Development

Formulates the fundamental ideas of his beta-decay theory by combining quantum field concepts with Wolfgang Pauli's neutrino hypothesis.

Slow Neutron Enhancement

Discovers with his Rome group that slowing neutrons with hydrogen-rich material such as paraffin greatly increases their effectiveness in producing nuclear reactions.

Artificial Radioactivity Programme

Organizes a systematic programme of neutron irradiation experiments that produces artificial radioactivity in many different elements.

Neutron Bombardment

Bombards many elements, including uranium, with neutrons during experiments on neutron-induced artificial radioactivity.

Role range: 1901-1954

Neutron Irradiation of Elements

Leads the Rome group in exposing a wide range of elements to neutrons and cataloguing the radioactive products created by nuclear transformations.

Slow Neutron Theory Interpretation

Interprets the enhanced effectiveness of moderated neutrons as a consequence of their reduced speed and greater probability of nuclear capture.

Beta Decay Electron Theory

Develops a quantitative theory of beta decay in which an electron and a neutrino are created during a weak nuclear transformation.

Neutron Physics Consolidation

Consolidates the Rome group's results on neutron-induced reactions and establishes slow-neutron methods as a major tool of experimental nuclear physics.

Nobel Prize Nomination

Receives nominations for the Nobel Prize in Physics as international recognition of his neutron and nuclear research grows.

International Neutron Research Recognition

Becomes internationally recognized as a leading authority on neutron physics through continued publications, lectures and experimental results.

Nobel Prize Nominations Continue

Receives numerous additional Nobel Prize nominations from prominent physicists who recognize the importance of his neutron research.

Nobel Prize

Receives the Nobel Prize in Physics for demonstrating neutron-induced radioactivity and for discoveries concerning nuclear reactions produced by slow neutrons.

Departure from Fascist Italy

Uses the journey to Stockholm for the Nobel ceremony as the opportunity to leave Fascist Italy permanently with his wife Laura and their children.

Emigration to the United States

Travels from Stockholm to the United States after receiving the Nobel Prize and begins a new phase of his scientific career in America.

Graphite Moderator Studies

Investigates graphite as a neutron moderator while assessing whether a uranium and graphite assembly can support a sustained nuclear chain reaction.

Columbia Uranium Neutron Experiments

Conducts neutron experiments on uranium at Columbia University while investigating whether a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction could be achieved.

Columbia Uranium Neutron Investigations Start

Enrico Fermi investigated neutron multiplication in uranium systems after arriving in the United States. The project changed the techniques available to later investigators.

Fermi Szilard Neutron Experiments

Works with Leo Szilard and other collaborators on experiments designed to measure neutron production and absorption in uranium and graphite systems.