Ernst Karl Abbe (
January 23,
1840 in
Eisenach –
January 14,
1905 in
Jena), was a German
physicist. He was a professor at the
University of Jena.Abbe is best known for his work in
optics. He designed the first
refractometer. He discovered the
Abbe number, a measure of any
transparent material's variation of
refractive index with
wavelength. Already a professor in
Jena, he was hired by
Carl Zeiss to improve the manufacturing process of optical instruments, which back then was largely based on trial and error. In a long and fruitful collaboration, Abbe created the mathematical foundation of
microscope design, which became essential for the later preeminent position of the
Zeiss company. In particular, he discovered the
Abbe sine condition, a breakthrough in
lens design. He also invented the
Abbe condenser, used for microscope illumination. During his association with
Carl Zeiss'
microscope works he also introduced the
eight-hour workday, in remembrance of the 14-hour workday of his own father.
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