POLISH PHYSICISTS HOLD 12TH CONVENTION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000700040559-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: R
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 28, 2011
• Sequence Number: 559
• Publication Date: February 25, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

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CIA-RDP80-00809A000700040559-6
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REPORT
INFORMATION FROM
FOREIGN DOCUMENTS OR RADIO BROADCASTS CD NO.
COUNTRY Poland
SUBJECT Scientific - Physics, biographic
HOW
PUBLISHED Monthly periodical
WHERE
PUBLISHED Warsaw
DATE
PUBLISHED Jan 1951
LANGUAGE
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From 29 October to 3 November 1949, the Twelfth Convention of Polish Phys-
ictsts took place in Warsaw at the Zaklad Fizy,zny (Physics Research Center)
of the University of Warsaw. This was the third convention held in Poland
since the war (the first was held in May 1947, and the second in May 1948, also
in Warsaw). The main theme of the convention was the development of research
on solids. In addition, there were reports on special fields of theoretical
physics. Almost half of the convention's time was devoted to reports on orig-
inal projects.
The following meetings took place: the Conference of Physics Professors
and Lecturers of Polish Academies, the Polish Optics Commission, the National
Committee of the International Union of Theoretical and Applied Physics, and
the plenary meeting of the Polish Physics Society. Prof Wojciech Rubinowicz
of Warsaw was elected chairman of the Polish PF;-ics Society for the next 2
years to succeed Prof Stefan Fienkovski. Prof E rnislaw Loris or Wroclaw
presided at the sessions of the convention.
The sessions of the above-mentioned committees, commissions, etc., which
were restricted to participants, had a strictly organizational character. They
dealt with teaching programs in higher institutions, scientific research
plans, problems of management, terminology, etc. Numerous important resolu-
tions were adopted.
The insiructionai part of the convention consisted of one- and 2-hour
reports on basic research on the physics of solids. It also included a number
of 10- and 15-minute reports on original scientific research.
The physics of solids (as well as nuclear physics) has great theoretical
and practical significance, as in'the physics of metals, insulators, plastics,
and enamels. Fields such as ferromagnetism and superconductivity are of great
interest to theoreticians working on solids.
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because of ,he ever-growing use of fluorescent lighting, research on lumi-
nescence of solids usea in the manufacture of these bulbs is especially impor-
tant. The physics of semiconductive solids is an entirely new field which
develcped chiefly during the recent war and in the postwar years. It is charac-
terized by numerous practical applications in the fields of teletechniques,
radar, military signaling, measuring instruments, etc. Almost every month
brings news of progress and discoveries in this field. Almost all the above-
mentioned fields in the physics of solids were covered in basic reports read at
the convention.
Professor Sosnowski of Warsaw gave two basic reports. In the first he re-
ported on the present statue of the quantum-mechanics theory of electrical
phenomen' in crystals. In the second he presented the application of the
theory to semiconductive solids and discussed many of the newest projects in
this field.
Two reports were read on the physics of metals. In the first, Professor
Szczeraowski of Poznan outlined the c'ntemporary status of research in the
fielu of superconductivity. In the recond, Professor Weyssenhoff of Krakow
reported on ferromagnetism.
Professor Pienkowski of Warsaw reported on the small angle dispersion of
X?-rayc in solids, which is a departure from the usual method of structural
anal-'-is
in the field of insulators (dielectrics), Professor Piekara of Gdansk re-
Icrted on special research on dielectric solids and the newest discoveries in
this field -. ferrodielectrics (substances with a dielectric constant ranging
up to the trr.: thousands). Doct,r Scislowski of Warsaw reported on the
rupture str.in.,1. of dielectric solids an-, the quantum-mechanics theory of this
phenomenon. Professor Jablonski of Torun gave an extensi',e report on the
photobumir.eceuce of crystals.
P'nfessorr, Rayski and Rzewuska presented two reports on theoretical
physt.s 'they dealt with the quantum-mechanics theory of the magnetic field
and lc:iion of perturbation according to Schwinger. Although this
was tr.. the main theme of the convention, the reports had cur-
rent signs: i an- and were received with interest.
Thu: r.wrber and variety of the reports tcotified to the progress of Polish
pi;ysics. it '.cat of 52 original works were read: Warsaw 18, Krakow 7, Torun 6,
C.danok 5. F'o^n?;o 4, Wroclaw 4, Lubi.^ , Lodz 2, Jelena Gora 2, and Gliwice 1.
lieside.c work in theoretics' and applied physics, the work of the Warsaw
gro m also centered around the three research fields of nuclear physics, mole-
c:: .hr and " ?r::y optics, and research on semiconductors. Torun was represented
by theoretical physics. The work of the Krakow group was dominated by research
on cosmic rays. In addition, the Krakow Croup completed two projects in applied
physics with great practical significance. The first dealt with delineation
of petroleum borings by means of the radioactive sounding method (Professors
Mi, owcca and 1'ikucki). This is very important to geological explorations.
The second dealt with detccting det'_cts in steel cables by the electromagnetic
method. this is of great, use in coal mines. Professor Jezewski of Krakow re-
ceived the state award in 1949 for the latter project.
The projects reported from Wroclaw and Jelena Gora centered mainly on the
theme of applied physics (in connection with instrument optics). They also
carried on research in cosmic rays. The physicists from Gdansk and Lodz re-
ported on progress in the building of high-tension equipment for nuclear work
(accelerators) installed in the polytechnics in their cities. In addition, the
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G:ansk group carried on projects in the field of dielectrics, research on the
magnetic properties of materials, and research on cosmic rays. The remain-
ing areas reported projects on various themes: atomic physics, photoelectric-
ity, dipole moments, and medical physics.
Of about 250 physicists taking part in the convention, 150 came from
places other than Warsaw.
The Polish Physics Society has resumed publication of ?eta Physics Po]onica,
a scientific periodical first published in 1932 (it is also published in foreign
lsnguc.ges), This periodical repcrts the scientific research of Polish phys-
i.ci-ts. The Polish Physics Society has also begun publication of a biweekly
scientific pericdical in Polish, Postepy Fizyki (Progress in Physics). The
fir.'t issue of this periodical appeared during the convention.
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