Since its inception in the early part of the twentieth century, quantum physics has fascinated the academic world, its students, and even the general public. In fact, it is - or has become - a highly interdisciplinary eld. On a topic such as "the physicsof the atom" the disciplines of physics, philosophy,and history of science interconnect in a remarkable way, and to an extent that is revealed in this volume for the rst time. This compendium brings together some 90 researchers, who have authore ...