iv

Foreword

In the occasion of the centennial of the birth of Professor Gleb Wataghin, the

Department of Cosmic Rays and Chronology of the Gleb Wataghin Physics

Institute is proud to publish this book and this CD-ROM, where a major part of his

papers is collected, demonstrating his eclectic scientific interest and the

importance of his contributions in many fields of Physics. From the problem of the

electronic theory of metals to the mystery of the then newly discovered hard

component of cosmic radiation, nothing seemed to escape the unlimited curiosity

of Gleb Wataghin.

When he was still alive, his former Brazilian students gave his name to the

newly created Physics Institute of the State University of Campinas, a suitable

homage to a man who was one of the pioneers of Physics in Brazil.

All those who had the opportunity to know him bear unanimous witness to

his acute intelligence, his courage to "dare", his immense sympathy and sense of

humor. Throughout more than sixty years of professional life, these qualities

yielded a diverse and prolific scientific production, represented not merely by his

more than 150 papers, but mainly by his deep capacity for educating new scientists

-- leaving as his main heritage a great number of former students continuing his

work. This is the mark of the complete scientist.