Walter Heitler

Walter Heitler (1904–1981) was a German physicist whose work helped establish the quantum-mechanical theory of chemical bonding and advance quantum electrodynamics and cosmic-ray theory.

Fritz London: Fritz London was a German physicist who applied quantum mechanics to chemical bonding and developed theories of superconductivity. London collaborated with Heitler on the quantum-mechanical account of the hydrogen molecule.
Hydrogen molecule: The hydrogen molecule is a stable H₂ molecule formed from two hydrogen atoms sharing a covalent bond. Its ground state supplied the first successful quantum-mechanical explanation of a chemical bond.
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology is a German research university formed from the merger of the University of Karlsruhe and a national research center. Heitler studied physics at Karlsruhe before continuing his education in Berlin and Munich.
The Quantum Theory of Radiation: The Quantum Theory of Radiation is Walter Heitler’s textbook on the interaction of radiation and matter using quantum theory. Its successive editions made Heitler’s synthesis of quantum electrodynamics widely influential.
Molecular orbital theory: Molecular orbital theory describes electrons as occupying orbitals spread over an entire molecule. It contrasts with the localized electron-pair picture associated with Heitler and London.
Hendrik Kramers: Hendrik Kramers was a Dutch theoretical physicist known for work on quantum theory and the dispersion of light. Heitler worked with Kramers in Copenhagen, where his research turned toward radiation theory.
Quantum electrodynamics: Quantum electrodynamics is the quantum field theory of electrically charged particles and electromagnetic radiation. Heitler’s textbook helped organize the theory’s early development and applications.
University of Munich: The University of Munich, now Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, is a public research university in Bavaria. Heitler completed doctoral study in Munich under Arnold Sommerfeld.
Jewish emigration from Nazi Germany: Jewish emigration from Nazi Germany was the forced flight of Jews from persecution and state-sponsored violence under the Nazi regime. Heitler, who was Jewish, left Germany in 1933 as Nazi persecution intensified.
Heitler–London method: The Heitler–London method approximates a molecule’s electronic state using quantum-mechanical combinations of atomic states. It names the method Heitler and London used to explain bonding in H₂.

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