Ettore Majorana: Genius and mystery

Abstract

The geniality of Ettore Majorana is discussed in the framework of the crucial problems being investigated at the time of his activity. These problems are projected to our present days, where the number of space-Time dimensions is no longer four and where the unification of the fundamental forces needs the Majorana particle: neutral, with spin = and identical to its antiparticle. The mystery of the way Majorana disappeared is restricted to few testimonies, while his geniality is open to all eminent physicists of the XXth century, who had the privilege of knowing him, directly or indirectly.