Maurice de Broglie (born 26 January 1875 – died 26 June 1960) was a French physicist and aristocrat who held the hereditary title of 6th Duke of Broglie. He was the elder brother of the Nobel‑ laureate physicist Louis de Broglie (who later became the 7th Duke of Broglie).
Family and titles
- Father: Victor de Broglie (1846–1906), 5th Duke of Broglie.
- Mother: Pauline d’Albert de Luynes.
- Succeeded his father as the 6th Duke of Broglie in 1906.
- Married Pauline Brungez; the couple had several children, including Louis de Broglie.
Education and scientific career
Maurice de Broglie studied physics at the École Polytechnique and earned his doctorate in 1901. His early research focused on X‑ray spectroscopy and the optical properties of crystals. He held a professorship at the Collège de France, where he taught experimental physics.
His most notable scientific contributions include:
- Development of refined X‑ray diffraction techniques, improving the precision of crystallographic measurements.
- Investigations into the scattering of X‑rays by matter, which complemented the theoretical work of his brother Louis on wave‑particle duality.
- Publications on the physical properties of liquids and gases, particularly regarding viscosity and thermal conductivity.
Honors and memberships
- Member of the French Academy of Sciences (elected 1932).
- Commander of the Legion of Honour (1931).
- Recipient of the Prix La Caze (1906) for work on X‑ray spectroscopy.
Later life and legacy
After retiring from active research, Maurice de Broglie managed the family estates and continued to support scientific societies. He remained a respected figure in French scientific circles until his death in 1960. His contributions to experimental physics, especially in X‑ray techniques, are regarded as foundational for later developments in crystallography and material science.
