Heinz Barwich German physicist Date of Birth: 22.07.1911 Country: Germany

1. Early Life and Education
2. Work in the USSR
3. Return to Germany and Later Career
4. Political Stance and Departure
5. Legacy

Early Life and Education

Born in 1911, Heinz Barwich was a brilliant physicist who began his studies at the Technical University of Berlin in 1929. Inspired by the teachings of renowned physicists like Max Planck, Albert Einstein, and Werner Heisenberg, he switched to the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Under the guidance of Nobel laureate Gustav Hertz, Barwich completed his diploma in 1933 and received his doctorate in 1936 with a dissertation on the separation of isotopes by the diffusion method.

Work in the USSR

In 1945, following the end of World War II, Barwich joined Hertz's team in the Soviet Union and volunteered to work on the atomic program. Despite facing challenges, Barwich's determination remained unwavering. He spent 10 years at the Aguseri sanatorium, now known as the NKVD facility "G," where he conducted theoretical and experimental research on the stability of uranium isotope separation cascades.

Return to Germany and Later Career

Barwich returned to East Germany in 1955 and became the Director of the Central Institute for Nuclear Research in Rossendorf. He also held a professorship at the Technical University of Dresden. From 1960 to 1964, he served as Deputy Director of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, USSR.

Political Stance and Departure

Barwich was an independent thinker and not affiliated with any political parties. He held positions in the National Council of the National Front of the GDR and the Peace Council of the GDR, and he co-founded the GDR's Scientific Research Council. In September 1964, he sought political asylum in the United States, fleeing the GDR due to political differences. He returned to West Germany in 1966 and passed away in Cologne on April 10, 1966.

Legacy

Barwich's contributions to nuclear physics were recognized with the Stalin Prize in 1951. His work on isotope separation played a pivotal role in the development of atomic energy. His independent spirit and commitment to scientific innovation continue to inspire generations of researchers.