Hans Bethe’s revolutionary insight in 1931 allowed physicists to perfectly understand the behavior of quantum particles through what he called the “ansatz.” His method captured the collective behavior of any number of particles, from electrons to sheets of ice. Despite its limitations, Bethe’s ansatz has been a cornerstone of quantum physics, captivating researchers for decades. The application of this method revealed surprising discoveries, such as the complex patterns in frozen sheets of ice. Even after Bethe’s time, physicists continued to uncover new uses for his ansatz, including in high-energy particle collisions. Bethe’s work remains a testament to the power of beautiful and precise theories in understanding the mysteries of the universe.
https://www.quantamagazine.org/how-hans-bethe-stumbled-upon-perfect-quantum-theories-20250212/