Princeton University Professor Wins Nobel Prize In Physics [UPDATED]

“No one wakes up in the morning to discover something new,” Princeton University Professor and 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics winner F. Duncan Haldane said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon. “You wake up to do what you’re going to do, and you may happen to discover something new.”

On Tuesday, Haldane woke up bright and early - roughly about 4:30 a.m. in fact - and was informed that a life devoted to discovery had paid off in the form of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics.

"I was very surprised and very gratified," Haldane said.

Haldane shared the prize "for theoretical discoveries of topological phase transitions and topological phases of matter" with Brown University’s J. Michael Kosterlitz and the University of Washington’s David Thouless. All three scientists were born in Britain.

"They have used advanced mathematical methods to study unusual phases, or states, of matter, such as superconductors, superfluids or thin magnetic films," the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said in the announcement.

The academy said their work “opens the door” to an unknown world where matter takes unusual states or phases.

“I was a physics major, but I couldn’t even begin to tell you what he won his prize for,” Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber joked during the press conference.

Haldane called the work a “sleeper” that didn’t become such a big thing until it was extended by other scientists.

"All these things are things that no one expects,” Haldane said. “You stumble over something and then you find the big picture after."

The three scientists conducted their work in the 1970s and 80s, according to the Los Angeles Times. Nobel Prizes are often awarded decades after the work is done, to see if the result holds true.

Each prize brings with it a $930,000 purse, a medal and a diploma. This year’s winners will be recognized on Dec. 10.

When asked if the prize validates him, Haldane said his work has already been validated.

“I’m happy to make contributions to the field,” Haldane said.

He didn’t let it go to his head, either; he still taught a regularly scheduled graduate class at 11 a.m.
"It's a matter of duty or pride," Haldane said. "These incoming graduate students have hopes, and any one of them could discover something tremendous or new."

In fact, he is currently working with graduate student Jie Wang is on a fractional quantum hall effect project. Wang says speaking with Haldane is always "enjoyable and inspiring." He also called Haldane a "giant in the field" of condensed matter theory.

"He is energetic, full of enthusiasm and is patient to students," Wang said. "What is more, during the discussions, he always brings his deep thoughts, inspiring conjectures as well as detailed calculations to us. From him, I gradually realized that to be a good physicist, brave ideas and detailed work, none of them could be omitted. 'How to do physics' is probably what I will learn from him in the future."

Perhaps Haldane can inspire Wang the way Haldane was inspired by Joseph Henry Professor of Physics, Emeritus Philip Anderson, whom he credits with inspiring him to pursue a career in physics.

“I was guided by the training and mentorship of Phil Anderson,” Haldane said.

He also said he could’ve become a chemist, but joked that he decided against working with dangerous chemicals after he was involved in one too many spills.

Anderson said it's been in the back of his mind for several years that Haldane "really deserved the prize because of the absolutely fundamental nature of his work."

"It underlies a lot of what is going on in the field of condensed matter physics recently. It is a very well-deserved prize," Anderson said. "I also worked very closely with David Thouless, so I am very happy with that prize. It is absolutely a wonderful choice."

Kosterlitz also has a Princeton connection, as he was a visiting professor at Princeton in 1978.
Haldane earned his B.A. in 1973 and Ph.D. in 1978, both from the University of Cambridge.

He was a physicist at Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble, France from 1977-81 before joining the faculty at the University of Southern California in 1981.

“There was exciting work going on in the United States at that time,” Haldane said, adding that the useful application for work was being stressed, as opposed to theoretical research.

He was a member of the technical staff at AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill from 1985 to 1988.

He was elected a fellow of the American Physical Society in 1986 and awarded a Sloan Foundation fellowship from 1984 to 1988.

He came to Princeton University in 1990. He is the Eugene Higgins Professor of Physics.

"Duncan is first and foremost, brilliant," Professor of Physics Shivaji Sondhi said. "Very few people have the capacity to surprise you with new insights as he does. He is an inspiration to all of us in the energy, focus and care that he brings to his intellectual work every day and is showing no signs of slowing down. He is also one of the nicest people I know and has a delightful sense of humor that he hides very well. Finally, he has perfected the art of appearing to be barely competent at administrative work which is further evidence of his genius."

Other Princeton faculty members who have earned a Nobel Prize in physics, include Philip Anderson, Joseph Taylor, Daniel Tsui and David Gross.

"I'm delighted to see this marvelous tradition continue," Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon."It's a pleasure to see Duncan Haldane join our Hall of Fame."

The attached image was provided by Princeton University, and taken by Denise Applewhite, Office of Communications.

Congratulations to #PrincetonU Professor F. Duncan Haldane, winner of the 2016 #NobelPrize in Physics! Details: https://t.co/q6ebgPIMEA pic.twitter.com/C0bBl9XY4I
— Princeton University (@Princeton) October 4, 2016

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