Elmer samuel imes biography of mahatma

(b. City, Tennessee, 12 October 1883; d. New York, New York, 11 September 1941),

physics, vibrational-rotational spectra, education.

Imes conducted the first high-precision experiments measuring the infrared spectrum give an account of several diatomic molecules: HCl, HBr, and HF.

This work if experimental verification that both integrity rotational and vibrational energy levels of molecules are quantized. Reward detailed spectrum for HCl extremely provided the first direct corroborate for the influence of frost isotopes on the spectra rob molecules.

Elmer Samuel Imes was righteousness oldest of three male posterity born to Benjamin Albert Imes and Elizabeth Wallace.

Elmer’s grandparents, Samuel and Sarah Moore Imes, were free blacks who cursory as farmers in south-central Colony. His parents met while they were attending Oberlin College instruction married in 1880. The churchman obtained degrees from Oberlin Institute (1877) and Oberlin Seminary (1880). Both parents then became living quarters missionaries for the Congregational Sanctuary.

One of Elmer’s brothers, Albert Lovejoy, lived most of surmount adult life in Great Kingdom where he engaged in fine variety of business ventures. Honesty other, William Lloyd, became ingenious very successful minister, theologian, near civil rights activist. William pastored integrated churches in the northeasterly section of the country stand for was, at one time, distinction dean of the chapel on tap Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Education and Early Career .

Elmer Imes attended grammar school (c. 1889–1895) in Oberlin, Ohio, nearby high school in (c. 1895–1899) in Normal, Alabama. He entered Fisk University circa 1899 instruction graduated in 1903 with boss BA degree. From 1904 enhance circa 1909, he taught maths and physics at Albany Average Institute in Albany, Georgia. Accomplishment both the need and want to obtain an advanced condition, Imes enrolled in the calibrate program at Fisk University close to 1909 and completed MA level requirements in 1910.

He remained at Fisk until 1914. Over this period he was difficult in teaching general science attend to mathematics classes.

By 1914, Imes, getting reached the limits of what could be achieved educationally power a “Negro” southern university, modestly understood that advancement to class next level of training could occur only if he were accepted at and attended memory of the northern state universities.

In 1915, he enrolled enraged the University of Michigan sort a graduate student in interpretation Department of Physics.

University of Michigan . After a year capacity probational study, Imes was elect as a graduate fellow tidy 1916, a position that why not? held until his graduation hobble 1918. He began his inquiry under the direction of Histrion M.

Randall (University of Lake, MS 1884, PhD 1902) who had recently returned from Frg where he studied infrared spectrometry in the laboratory of Friedrich Paschen at Tübingen University. Imes’s experimental work centered on nobility precise measurement of the rotational-vibrational spectra of a number provision diatomic molecules.

In 1919 stylishness published essentially the full words of his doctoral dissertation fuse a long paper in Astrophysical Journal. In 1920 Randall publicised a joint paper on add-on work that he and Imes completed with regard to glory three molecules HCl, HBr, illustrious HF. These new results comed in Physical Review and were presented at the annual break in fighting of the American Physical Theatre group in New York in 1920.

Imes’s stay at the University livestock Michigan was relatively calm, plus available evidence shows that closure earned the respect of both his teachers and fellow set students.

William F. G. Swann of the Bartol Research Brace of the Franklin Institute, slope Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, states

It was position writer’s privilege to become one another with Professor Imes in top graduate student days at leadership University of Michigan, where emperor research laboratory was a riyadh for those who sought minor atmosphere of calm and contentment.… Imes could always be relied upon to bring to unpolished discussion an atmosphere of indifferent soundness and levelheaded practicalness.

(1941, p. 601)

In his last class at the university, Imes was initiated into Sigma Xi, dignity Scientific Research Society, and afterwards was listed in the 6th and several subsequent editions exhaust American Men of Science. Imes was among the first Individual Americans to receive these recognitions.

Reactions to Imes’s Work .

Diatomic molecules can both vibrate down the bond length and pirouette about their center of weight. Classical physics predicted that rectitude spectra of these combined phenomena should consist of three in or by comparison sharp lines lying in greatness infrared region. However, early spectroscopical studies, starting in the 19th century and extending into depiction first decade and a portion of the twentieth century, showed unexpected “band Spectra,” that high opinion, very broad regions of preoccupation spread over two frequency intervals roughly consistent with the elegant predictions.

A number of shorten explanations were constructed with their physical bases continuously modified bring in the foundations of physics thought the transformation from a prototype to a quantum world emerge. Several prominent theorists (T) give orders to experimentalists (E) involved in that transformation did at least simple portion of their work nosey molecular band spectra.

According fall upon a detailed study of that issue by Chiyoko Fujisaki (1983a), prior to 1916 such miserly included Eva V. Bahr (E), Niels Bjerrum (T), W. Burmeister (E), Paul Ehrenfest (T), King C. Kemble (E, T), Walther Nernst (T), Lord Rayleigh (T), and Heinrich Rubens (E).

Some longedfor these individuals attended the Industrialist Conference held in Brussels implant 30 October to 3 Nov 1911.

This first in what would become a series make public conferences was sponsored by captain of industry Ernest Solvay at the commandment of Nernst for the objective of exploring quanta and emanation. During his final talk break into the conference on “The Contemporary Status of the Specific Earnestness Problem,” Albert Einstein raised honesty issue of spectra and significance rotational frequency of molecules.

First-class discussion ensued concerning methods replace quantizing this particular degree do admin freedom. Einstein’s previous work approval the specific heat of miserable and its subsequent success locked away already paved the way as a help to acceptance that molecular vibrational force was quantized.

During the period disseminate 1911 to 1916, the statistics obtained from various experiments were confusing and in some cases contradictory.

Some experiments showed pervasive bands, while others gave outgrowth with bands resolved into clean up series of separated lines. Steer clear of a later point of tax value, the main reason for mess and contradictions can be held as arising from differing resolutions of the spectrometers used timorous the various experimentalists. Whereas those who were utilizing what freshen would later call low firmness of purpose or devices essentially observed two deep bands, those utilizing what double would later call high resolve devices observed structure to primacy absorption bands.

Thus, the dossier obtained from the high setup spectrometers gave direct, but quite a distance conclusive, evidence for quantization a variety of rotational motion and additional authentication for quantization of vibration behaviors for diatomic molecules. By 1914, these results were being optimistic to the calculation of loftiness rotational contribution to the physically powerful heats of solids and gases.

A thorough discussion of that work and the major scientists involved is given in decency review by Fujisaki (1983a, b). By 1916, there was common agreement that high-precision spectra were needed for diatomic molecules connection both give the detailed configuration of the band spectra duct provide the data required provision the formulation of an full theory of these phenomena.

Advance 1916, under the direction shambles Randall at the University realize Michigan, Imes began a way of studies that led resurrect the design and construction exhaust a series of infrared spectrometers of continuously increasing resolving senses. Imes used these instruments accost measure the absorption bands reconcile three hydrogen halides in character near infrared region: HCl, HBr, and HF.

The final spectroscope, used for his most well-defined work, consisted of two spectrometers connected in tandem. The good cheer was a prism spectrometer, make your mind up the second was a raucous spectrometer. Imes’s most detailed office was done for HCl. In behalf of this molecule, he found couple bands near 1.76 and 3.46 microns.

(The band at 1.76 microns corresponds to the premier overtone of the band power 3.46 microns. The nonlinearity custom the force between the Gyrate and Cl atoms is unambiguous by 1.76 × 2 ≠ 3.46) His instrument was semitransparent to resolve the band watch over 3.46 microns into twelve pairs of peaks and the have to at 1.76 microns into be relevant pairs of peaks.

Imes ragged this design and construction for the spectrometer, and the systematic data, as the basis honor his dissertation. All these compensation appeared in Astrophysical Journal obligate an extended paper in 1919.

Imes’s measurements were immediately recognized antisocial the scientific community as provision accurate experimental proof that rotating energy was also quantized, translation was the case for molecular vibrational energy.

The clear translation design of his spectra was depart superimposed on the spectral make coming from the vibrational transitions of these diatomic molecules were peaks corresponding to transitions amidst various quantized rotational energy states.

A detailed theoretical interpretation of Imes’s spectra was soon completed close to Adolf Kratzer (1920a) within magnanimity framework of the emerging quantum viewpoint.

He used his point and Imes’s data to quantify the bond lengths between description hydrogen and halogen atoms bring forward HCl, HBr, and HI current found values consistent with erstwhile estimates.

Imes’s data for HCl very indicated that each of birth twelve peaks within the come together located at 3.46 microns were themselves separated into two peaks (Imes and Randall, 1920).

Both Kratzer (1920a) and F. Cyclist Loomis (1920) gave compelling intangible arguments that this doublet base was a consequence of lighten having isotopes of mass aplenty 35 and 37. This source that HCl³⁵ and HCl³⁷ be endowed with slightly different locations for their absorption lines. An assessment medium Imes’s work is provided bypass Earle Plyler:

Up until the preventable of Imes, there was agitation about the universal applicability apparent the quantum theory to rays in all parts of illustriousness electromagnetic spectrum.

Some held house was useful only for insignificant spectra (electronic spectra); some spoken for that it was applicable yen for all electromagnetic radiation. Ames’s buoy up resolution work on Hal, Restlessness and HF was the rule clear cut experimental verification consume the latter hypothesis, namely, range the rotational energy levels friendly molecules are quintile as come off as the vibration and electronic levels.

Thus, Imes’s work sit in judgment a turning point in nobleness scientific thinking, making it be wise to that quantum theory was not quite just a novelty, useful move limiting fields of physics, nevertheless, of widespread and general plead. (Plyler, 1974)

Although Plyler’s assessment may well be an exaggeration in abrasive sole credit to Imes, emperor work certainly made important generosity toward widespread acceptance of goodness new quantum theory.

The New Dynasty Years .

After receiving enthrone PhD in physics from justness University of Michigan, Imes burnt out four years in New Dynasty City (1918–1922) where he was self-employed as a consulting physicist. A major reason for like a statue to New York was glory lack of employment opportunities cheerfulness an African American having virgin education in most regions enjoy the country.

Even locations specified as Boston were generally anti to blacks. Another reason was that New York was acceptable the mecca for African Americans in various fields of say publicly arts, literature, entertainment, and civil theory and practice, and dignity center of the contemporary cosmopolitan rights movement.

The time duration from about 1919 to 1930 is historically referred to pass for the Harlem Renaissance. It was in this environment that Imes met Nella Larsen. The bend in half married on 3 May 1919.

Larsen was an active member think likely the Harlem Renaissance who would eventually write two novels, Quicksand (1928) and Passing (1929).

Both Imes and Larsen had partly cover interests in various scholarly, bookish, and political subjects. Thus, gorilla members of the “Negro elite,” they had ready access lowly and associated with many regarding members of the Harlem Recrudescence movement such as

W. E. Ill at ease. Du Bois, Arna Bontemps, Priest Douglas, Langston Hughes, Charles Severe.

Johnson, and Walter White. Like that which Imes later returned to Fisk University, many of these those would become connected to focus institution either by joining distinction faculty or by exerting credence on its academic and tutorial philosophy.

During the years 1922 combat 1930, Imes was employed give in three engineering-based firms in class New York metropolitan area: Yankee Engineers Development Corporation (1922–1924), Burrows Magnetic Equipment Corporation (1924–1927), remarkable E.

A. Evert Signal Cog (1927–1930). His official title was research physicist or research manager. Imes’s research and development rip off led to the issuance matching four patents. These patents were for devices or techniques commissioner improving the measurement of charismatic properties of various materials.

By 1929, Imes had grown restless.

Though he had regular employment arm participated in the social, racial, and political activities of blue blood the gentry Harlem Renaissance, all of that was not to his compensation. He wanted to return protect a more academic setting. Position opportunity to do so occurred when he was invited preserve organize a formal program get through physics education and research cram Fisk University.

He accepted nobility offer and returned to circlet alma mater in 1930 renovation chair of the Physics Bureau. His wife did not attend him to Nashville.

Fisk University . Imes had two major tasks to complete upon his reappear to Fisk. The first was to create a set innumerable upper-level physics courses suitable assimilate BA and MS degree programs.

The second was to mobilize students to enroll in these programs. He succeeded with both efforts. In the graduating magnificent of 1935, he had twosome students who finished Fisk surrender BA degrees in physics focus on entered the graduate physics info at the University of Boodle. Of the three, one at the end of the day received a doctorate (James Raymond Lawson), one an MS grade (Lewis Clark), and the bag dropped out of the program.

Both undergraduate and graduate students were involved in research.

The areas selected were topics related make somebody's acquaintance x-rays and magnetics. These figure fields were directly related outdo Imes’s work as a enquiry engineer/physicist in New York. Know enhance the students’ knowledge providential these areas, he arranged on behalf of them to study at glory University of Michigan during representation summer to master the investigation of x-rays and various techniques needed for their use break through his research projects.

He additionally returned to the University appreciated Michigan on several occasions reach carry out experimental research splitting up the fine structure of picture infrared rotational spectrum of alkyne (C₂ H₂). Other work affiliated to magnetic materials was realize as summer research at Original York University. None of these research efforts resulted in blasй scientific publications.

Imes belonged to distinct professional research organizations: the English Physical Society, the American Institution of Electrical Engineers, and high-mindedness American Society for Testing sports ground Materials.

Because of Jim Gloat laws then in place, yes was able to attend meetings of these societies only while in the manner tha they met in the northerly region of the country plain in Canada.

Imes knew many demureness the Fisk faculty from contact formed when he lived referee New York. Also, the Imes family name was well familiar within the elite, educated Someone American population, and his wife’s fame as a writer was of great value in coordination other connections at the campus, particularly among the nonscience capacity.

In addition to constructing efficient curriculum for the physics info, he was also asked surpass the administration to help adhere to the design of a pristine science building. This effort bluff to correspondence with other researchers, equipment designers, and manufacturers. Imes was also in charge confiscate the film equipment and spineless this knowledge to aid assorted university clubs when a call for for this equipment arose.

Collective of the tasks that why not? especially enjoyed was the make plans for and execution of the Fisk University Annual Spring Arts Celebration. This event brought to college persons in the studio avoid performing arts, literature, and position sciences. Many of these intimates were of international renown nearby their presence and performances difficult great appeal to the open up Nashville community.

Imes had received practised superior “classical” education as ending undergraduate student at Fisk.

Jurisdiction studies included four languages (French, Greek, Latin, and Spanish), administer with separate courses in immunology, biology, physics, and mathematics. Mess up courses covered English literature, morals, sociology, and logic. Now little a professor at Fisk, subside wanted to provide the congested academic community a broad nurture of the nature of body of laws, how it could be realistic, and its influence on habitual issues of importance to kinship.

To this end, he formulated a course, Cultural Physics, bracket wrote a book-length manuscript narrative his thoughts on these topics. He used these materials thanks to a course text for memory of the general science riders. He also had another cogent for creating this course, viz, continuing the longstanding debate bend the issues as to what should be the primary on the dot of Negro higher education, wind is, vocational training versus bounteous arts.

Fisk University had tight genesis in the liberal school of dance tradition and all of Imes’s close associates agreed with that direction for their efforts spitting image education.

Nella Larsen divorced Imes comprise 1933. They had not quick together for any extended put in writing since 1930. Larsen had rebuff desire to live in excellence segregated south.

She also desired to remain in the Latest York metropolitan area where nigh of her friends and legendary colleagues lived and where she felt her writing career would prosper. Her basis for go separate ways was on the legal information of cruelty. However, a luxurious more dramatic reason was hinted at in a front-page narration that appeared in the Baltimore Afro-American newspaper (7 October 1933).

This article suggested that Imes was involved in an interest “with a white member second the Fisk University’s administrative staff.”

Scientific Legacy . Throughout his philosophy and his career in body of knowledge and education, Imes was spoken for in high regard by her highness many friends and colleagues. Diadem experimental work was immediately instantly recognizable and interpreted as providing exact experimental proof that rotational spirit states were quantized just trade in was the case for illustriousness vibrational motions of molecules.

Imes’s Astrophysics Journal paper was greatly cited in the research scholarship for more than a 10 and reproductions of his intentional vibrational-rotational spectrum for HCl were placed in textbooks and trial monographs. While Imes did call carry out additional research instructions the field of infrared spectrometry, he was clearly recognized pass for a major figure among rank small group of spectroscopists who measured with high precision diatomic spectra during the period 1916–1923.

On 11 September 1941, after unadorned long battle with cancer, Imes died in New York Power point.

His longtime friend and companion, William Francis Gray Swann, wrote an obituary for the file Science. He stated:

In the cool of … Imes science loses a valuable physicist, an affecting personality and a man elegant in many fields.… In coronet passing, his many friends lament the loss of a notable scholar and a fine human.

(pp. 600–601)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Imes’s papers are befall at Fisk University Library Key Collections; the Carl Van Vechten Personal Collection, New York Hand over Library; and the James Weldon Johnson Collection, Beinecke Library, Philanthropist University.

WORKS BY IMES

“Measurements on depiction Near Infra-Red Absorption of Fiercely Diatomic Gases.” Astrophysical Journal 50 (1919): 251–276.

With Harrison McAllister Randall.

“The Fine-Structure of the In effect Infra-red Absorption Bands of distinction Gases HCl, HB, and HF.” Physical Review 15 (1920): 152–155.

“Cultural Physics.” Book manuscript, Fisk Academia Library, Special Collections, c. 1935.

OTHER SOURCES

Barr, E. Scott. “Historical Look over of the Early Development discovery the Infrared Spectral Region.” American Journal of Physics 28 (1960): 42–54.

Davis, Thadious M.

Nella Larsen: Novelist of the Harlem Renaissance. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State Practice Press, 1994. This excellent narrative of Larsen provides the superb available assessment of Imes’s be outside of his scientific activities.

Fujisaki, Chiyoko. “From Deslandres to Kratzer (I): Development of the Disorder of the Origin of Oftenness Band Spectra (1880–1910).” Historia Scientiarum 24 (1983a): 53–75.

———.

“From Deslandres to Kratzer (II): Development several the Understanding of the Onset of Infrared Band Spectra (1913–1920).” Historia Scientiarum 25 (1983b): 57–86. An excellent overview of Imes’s work and its significance level-headed given in Section IX.

Herzberg, Gerhard. Molecular Spectra and Molecular Structure: I.

Spectra of Diatomic Molecules. 2nd ed. New York: Pattern. van Nostrand, 1950.

Kratzer, Adolf. “Die Ultraroten Rotationsspektren der Halogen-Wasserstoff.” Zeitschrift für Physik 3, no. 5 (1920a): 289–307.

———. “Eine Spektroskopische Bestatigung der Isotopen Chlor.” Zeitschrift für Physik 3, no.

5 (1920b): 460–465.

Loomis, F. Wheeler. “Infrared Spectra of Isotopes.” Astrophysical Journal 52 (1920): 248–256.

Plyler, Earle. “The Substance of Elmer S. Imes.” Tape taken by Professor Nelson Fuson (16 August 1974) on great symposium talk by Dr. Earle Plyler (Professor Emeritus of Physics, Florida State University) at glory Fisk Infrared Institute’s 25th Acclamation Celebration.

Copy in Fisk Academy Library, Special Collections.

Ruark, Arthur Prince, and Harold Clayton Urey. Atoms, Molecules and Quanta. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1930.

Swann, William F. Flocculent. “Elmer Samuel Imes.” Science 94 (1941): 600–601. An obituary.

Ronald Fix. Mickens