Pedro Waloschek – författare

Rolf Wideröe (1902-1996) was an extraordinary scientist and inventor. Whilst still a student of engineering he put forward the principles for a "betatron accelerator" and successfully operated the first "linear accelerator" (linac). In 1943 he patented the principle of "colliding storage rings" and in 1945 he submitted a patent which included a complete theory of the "synchrotron". After the War he began to build betatrons for technical and medical applications at BBC in Swizerland where he developed an interesting "two components theory" on the effects of radiation on living cells. For 20 years he taught accelerator physics at the ETH Zurich. He was the subject of occasional reproaches for having worked for the German Luftwaffe during the War, when he built a betatron in Hamburg. This autobiography includes his reasons, and his statements should provide valuable historic insights.

by Pedro Waloschek The following autobiographical account of Rolf Wideröe''s life and work is based on manuscripts and letters written by hirnself, most ofthem especially for this report. Data from audio and video recordings with his illustrations and from my notes taken during aseries ofmeetings between the two ofus were also included. Rolf Wideröe gave me access to many of his publications and to other documents from which I have extracted further information. I have compiled, edited and, where necessary, put the texts in chronological order. These were then corrected and supplemented by Rolf Wideröe during the course of several readings. The English translation was also checked by Wideröe and we were able to add some improvements and corrections. This account there­ fore stands as an authorised biography and is written in the first person. Mrs. Wideröe''s accurate memory was of great assistance. The emphasis has been on RolfWideröe''s life story and the first developments which led to modem particle accelerators. Techni­ cal and scientific comments have been kept as comprehensive and concise as possible.

by Pedro Waloschek The following autobiographical account of Rolf Wideröe's life and work is based on manuscripts and letters written by hirnself, most ofthem especially for this report. Data from audio and video recordings with his illustrations and from my notes taken during aseries ofmeetings between the two ofus were also included. Rolf Wideröe gave me access to many of his publications and to other documents from which I have extracted further information. I have compiled, edited and, where necessary, put the texts in chronological order. These were then corrected and supplemented by Rolf Wideröe during the course of several readings. The English translation was also checked by Wideröe and we were able to add some improvements and corrections. This account there­ fore stands as an authorised biography and is written in the first person. Mrs. Wideröe's accurate memory was of great assistance. The emphasis has been on RolfWideröe's life story and the first developments which led to modem particle accelerators. Techni­ cal and scientific comments have been kept as comprehensive and concise as possible.