Paul Karl Ludwig Drude

Paul Karl Ludwig Drude (July 12, 1863–July 5, 1906) was a German

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physicist.

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Drude was born the son of a physician in Braunschweig. He began his studies in mathematics at the University of G?ttingen, but later changed his major to physics. His dissertation covering the reflection and diffraction of light in crystals was completed in 1887.

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His first experiments were the determination of the optical constants of various solids, measured to unprecedented levels of accuracy. He then worked to derive relationships between the optical and electrical constants and the physical structure of substances. In 1894 he was responsible for introducing the symbol "c" for the speed of light in a perfect vacuum.

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Starting at the age of 26 and until his death, he was an editor for the scientific journal Annalen der Physik.

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In 1900 he developed a powerful model to explain the thermal, electrical, and optical properties of matter. The Drude model would be further advanced in 1933 by Arnold Sommerfeld and Hans Bethe, becoming the Drude-Sommerfeld-Model.

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Shortly after 1900 he became a full professor at Giessen. He later accepted the prestigious directorship of the physics institute in Berlin. In 1906, at the height of his career, he became a member of the Prussian Academy. A few days after his inauguration lecture he committed suicide.

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July 12: July 12 is the 193rd day (194th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 172 days remaining....

1863: 1863 is a common year starting on Thursday....

July 5: July 5 is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 179 days remaining....

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