Elisabeth Bormann

Elisabeth Ottilie Marianne Bormann (May 12, 1895 – August 1986) was an Austrian physicist and assistant to Max Born. She was involved in measuring the free path of atoms in gases and the size of molecules.

Early life and education Bormann was born in Döbling, Austria. She attended elementary and community school in Klosterneuburg. As a child, Bormann was enthusiastic about gymnastics and piano. In this capacity, she developed the first atomic beams. Working with Born in 1920, Bormann was the first to measure the free path of atoms in gases and the size of molecules. She also worked with Friedrich Dessauer on the development of X-ray based technologies.

Legacy In 2019 a plaque was unveiled to record Born and Bormann's discoveries. It will be attached to the former physics building in Robert-Mayer-Straße 2.

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