Robert B. Laughlin
American physicist who explained the fractional quantum Hall effect.
Robert Betts Laughlin, born November 1, 1950, in Visalia, California, is an American physicist who holds the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professorship in Physics and Applied Physics at Stanford University. He earned a B.A. in mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1972, followed by a Ph.D. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1979. Laughlin served as the president of KAIST in Daejeon, South Korea, from 2004 to 2006.
Laughlin’s most celebrated contribution came in 1983, when he proposed a many-body wave function—now called the Laughlin wavefunction—that explained the fractional quantum Hall effect. This wavefunction correctly accounted for the fractionalized charge observed in experiments, and the state it describes has since been understood as the integer quantum Hall effect of composite fermions. For this work, Laughlin shared the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physics with Horst L. Störmer and Daniel C. Tsui.
His 2017 paper, “Pumped thermal grid storage with heat exchange,” led to Project Malta at Google X and later the formation of Malta Inc. Laughlin is also the author of several books. In *A Different Universe: Reinventing Physics from the Bottom Down* (2005), he argues for emergence as a replacement for reductionism and touches on controversial topics. He later published *The Crime of Reason: And the Closing of the Scientific Mind* (2008), *Powering the Future: How We Will (Eventually) Solve the Energy Crisis and Fuel the Civilization of Tomorrow* (2013), and contributed to *Mente y materia. ¿Qué es la vida? Sobre la vigencia de Erwin Schrödinger* (2010).
Laughlin’s honors include the E. O. Lawrence Award in Physics (1984), the Oliver E. Buckley Prize (1986), election as a Fellow of the American Physical Society (1986), membership in the National Academy of Sciences (1994), the Benjamin Franklin Medal for Physics (1998), the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement (1999), a Doctorate of Letters from the University of Maryland (2005), and the Onsager Medal (2007).
- born
- November 1, 1950
- field
- Physics
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Explanation of the fractional quantum Hall effect; Laughlin wavefunction
- awards
- Nobel Prize in Physics (1998), E. O. Lawrence Award (1984), Oliver E. Buckley Pr
Verified Timeline
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1950-11-01
- Birth Place
- Visalia, California, United States
- Fields
- Theoretical physics
- Workplaces
- Stanford
- Doctoral Advisor
- John D. Joannopoulos
- Education
- MIT / University of California, Berkeley
- Known For
- Quantum Hall effect
- Awards
- E. O. Lawrence Award (1984) / Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize (1986) / Nobel Prize in Physics (1998) / The Franklin Medal (1998)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Laughlin was born in Visalia, California. He earned a B.A. in mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley in 1972, and his Ph.D. In 1983, Laughlin was first to provide a many body wave function, now known as the Laughlin wavefunction, for the fractional quantum Hall effect, which correctly explained the fractionalized charge observed in experiments. This state has since been interpreted as the integer quantum Hall effect of the composite fermion.
Reader's Guide
Robert B. Laughlin's significance lies in his theoretical explanation of the fractional quantum Hall effect, a phenomenon where electrons in a strong magnetic field form a new state of matter with fractionally charged quasiparticles. His 1983 Laughlin wavefunction provided the first correct many-body description of this effect, earning him a share of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physics. This work has had lasting impact on condensed matter physics, leading to the concept of composite fermions and influencing the study of topological phases of matter. Beyond fundamental physics, Laughlin's 2017 paper on pumped thermal grid storage inspired a practical energy storage project at Google X, showing his engagement with applied energy problems. His books argue for emergence over reductionism and critique the closing of scientific inquiry, reflecting his broader philosophical interests. His tenure as president of KAIST and his numerous honors, including the E. O.
Did You Know?
- Laughlin earned a B.A. in mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley in 1972, and his Ph.D. in physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1979.
- In 1983, Laughlin was first to provide a many body wave function, now known as the Laughlin wavefunction, for the fractional quantum Hall effect.
- His 2017 paper, 'Pumped thermal grid storage with heat exchange' inspired Project Malta at Google X and subsequently Malta Inc.
- Between 2004 and 2006, he served as the president of KAIST in Daejeon, South Korea.
- He authored books including 'A Different Universe: Reinventing Physics from the Bottom Down' (2005) and 'The Crime of Reason: And the Closing of the Scientific Mind' (2008).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Robert B. Laughlin?
Robert Betts Laughlin, born November 1, 1950, is an American condensed-matter physicist who holds the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professorship at Stanford University. He is most celebrated for his theoretical work on the fractional quantum Hall effect.
What is Robert B. Laughlin famous for?
He provided the first complete theoretical explanation of the fractional quantum Hall effect, showing how electrons in a two-dimensional system under a strong magnetic field can behave as though they carry fractional electric charge. His key tool was the Laughlin wavefunction, a many-body state that elegantly captures the correlated electron behavior in that regime.
Did Robert B. Laughlin win a Nobel Prize?
Yes—he shared the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physics for his explanation of the fractional quantum Hall effect. He has also been honored with the E. O. Lawrence Award (1984), the Oliver E. Buckley Prize (1986), and the Benjamin Franklin Medal (1998).
Where does Robert B. Laughlin work?
He is a professor of Physics and Applied Physics at Stanford University, where he holds the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass named chair.
What is the Laughlin wavefunction?
It is the many-electron quantum state Laughlin constructed to describe the correlated ground state of a two-dimensional electron gas in a strong magnetic field. The expression naturally produces the fractional charge and incompressible fluid behavior seen in the fractional quantum Hall regime, making it a cornerstone of modern many-body theory.
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