Unified Field Theories: in the first third of the 20th century

Despite the rapidly expanding ambit of physical research and the continual appearance of new branches of physics, the main thrust in its development has been the attempt at a theoretical synthesis of the entire body of physical knowledge. Vladimir Vizgin's work presents perhaps the first systematic historico-scientific study of the formation and development of the unified field theories in the general context of 20th century physics. Concentrating on the first three decades of the century and drawing extensively on Russian sources, the author analyses the first successes, failures and paths of further development of the unified field theories. He presents the evolution of these theories as a process of interaction/competition between the geometric field and quantum research programs, and ascertains the relevance of these theories for fundamental concepts in modern field theory.

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The author presents in detail the unified theories of Nordström, Weyl, Eddington, Kaluza and Klein and numerous theories proposed by Einstein. It is stressed that these theories, contrary to the widely held view, were not completely fruitless. They were precursors of the modern quantum gauge field theories which inherited from them a number of important concepts. The monograph presents the first complete historical description of the subject. It is addressed to all physicists and mathematicians interested in the history of unification in physics.
(Zentralblatt MATH)

The reviewer calls attention to the extensive bibliography of original papers (approximately 400 items).
(Mathematical Reviews)

Despite the rapidly expanding ambit of physical research and the continual appearance of new branches of physics, the main thrust in its development has been the attempt at a theoretical synthesis of the entire body of physical knowledge. Vladimir Vizgin's work presents perhaps the first systematic historico-scientific study of the formation and development of the unified field theories in the general context of 20th century physics. Concentrating on the first three decades of the century and drawing extensively on Russian sources, the author analyses the first successes, failures and paths of further development of the unified field theories. He presents the evolution of these theories as a process of interaction/competition between the geometric field and quantum research programs, and ascertains the relevance of these theories for fundamental concepts in modern field theory.

Preface.- Introduction.- 1 The Electromagnetic Program for the Synthesis of Physics.- 2 The General Theory of Relativity: The Core of the Program of Unified Field Theory.- 3 Weyl's Theory: The First Truly Geometrized Unified Field Theory.- 4 1921: The Pivotal Year of Unified Geometrized Field Theories.- 5 Einstein's Decade of Hopes and Disappointments.- 6 The Role of Unified Geometrized Field Theories in the Genesis and Development of Quantum Theory.- Concluding Remarks.- Bibliography.




Vladimir Pavlovich Vizgin is a Professor at S.I. Vavilov Institute for the History of Science and Technology of the Russian Academy of Science (Moscow).