1On September 8th, 895, Roentgen was doing a cathode ray experiment in his office.
Cathode ray consists of an electron beam, which is generated when a high voltage passes between electrodes located at both ends of a closed glass tube in almost complete vacuum. However, cathode ray itself does not have a particularly strong penetration ability, and even air with a thickness of several centimeters cannot pass through it.
On this day, Roentgen completely covered the cathode ray with very thick black paper, so that even if there was current passing through, the light emitted by the glass tube could not be seen. However, when Roentgen connected the circuit of the cathode ray tube, he was surprised to find that a fluorescent screen coated with barium cyanoplatinum was shining on the nearby workbench, just like being induced by a lamp.
Roentgen immediately cut off the cathode ray tube current, and the luminescent phenomenon of the fluorescent screen disappeared immediately. Because the cathode ray tube was completely covered at this time, Roentgen realized that there must be some invisible radiation from the cathode when current passed through it. Because this radiation is so mysterious, and "X" is usually used to represent an unknown number in mathematics, Roentgen called it "X-ray".
Roentgen was very excited by this unexpected discovery. He completely stopped his other work and devoted himself to the study of X-rays. A few weeks later, he found that X-rays can not only make barium cyanoplatinum fluoresce, but also make other chemicals fluoresce. X-rays can also penetrate many substances that ordinary light cannot penetrate, especially it can directly penetrate muscles but not bones; X-rays travel completely in a straight line.
1895 to 65438+February, Roentgen published the first paper on X-rays, which immediately aroused great interest. In just a few months, hundreds of scientists studied X-rays.
Four days after the discovery of the X-ray, an American doctor used it to find the bullet in the patient's leg. Visionary entrepreneurs realize that this is a rare opportunity to make a fortune, and they flock to buy the patents of X-ray technology at a high price. 1 100,000, 2 million ... Faced with higher and higher prices, Roentgen smiled: "Even if it is110000, I won't sell it. My discovery belongs to all mankind. I hope this discovery can be used by scientists all over the world to make it better serve mankind. " Roentgen didn't apply for a patent, and he knew very well that if this technology was acquired by a big company, those poor people wouldn't have a chance to take X-rays. Edison was very moved when he learned the news. He invented a very good fluorescent screen for receiving X-rays, which was used in conjunction with X-ray tubes without applying for a patent.
In order to reward Roentgen for his contribution to science, the Bavarian House of Lords wanted to award him the Royal Medal and the title of nobility. Roentgen, on the other hand, thought it was an insult to himself and refused to accept the title of nobility.
Five years after Nobel's death, the Nobel Prize he laid was awarded for the first time, and Roentgen became the first person to win the Nobel Prize in physics. He happily accepted the Nobel Prize, but transferred the 50,000 Swedish kronor prize to the University of Fort Worth.
1900, roentgen began to serve as professor of physics and director of the Institute of Physics at Munich University.
1923 February, Roentgen died in Munich at the age of 78.
At present, X-rays are widely used in various medical treatments, including radiotherapy. In this radiotherapy, X-rays play a role in inhibiting or even eliminating malignant tumors called "human death diseases". In industry, X-rays also have many applications. People use it to measure the thickness of certain substances or to investigate potential defects. X-rays are also used in many scientific research fields, from biology to astronomy, especially providing scientists with a lot of information about atomic and molecular structures, thus greatly promoting the development of modern industry.
All this is due to Roentgen's invention of X-rays, which he studied alone and made available to people. His discovery was unexpected in the scientific community. His excellent follow-up research made the role of X-ray known, and his discovery also played an important role in promoting people's research in the future.