On the Work by Heisenberg and Pauli – I

Abstract

Heisenberg, in his non-linear spinor theory, tries to make a unified model for particle interactions based on postulating just one single fundamental spinor field. He hopes that even the photon can be constructed out of his spinor. However, the model fails and more ingredients are necessary in order to be able to move on. Pauli is intensely involved in the development of this model, which is extended by including isospin, degenerate vacua and parity doubling (mirror particles) to explain parity violation. There is a major difference between Heisenberg’s and Pauli’s approaches to this problem. Heisenberg wishes to publish the results quickly. Pauli, on the other hand, likes to circulate their intermediate results to get input from others, among them especially Källén. Pauli urges Heisenberg, over and over again, to be patient. For example, in a letter ([2849] in the Pauli Collection) to him on 1 February 1958 he writes that the order has to be (translated from German):

… First understand oneself, then publish and not the other way around.