# Robert B. Laughlin > American physicist **Wikidata**: [Q189997](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q189997) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_B._Laughlin) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/robert-b-laughlin ## Summary Robert B. Laughlin is an American physicist and Nobel laureate known for his groundbreaking work in condensed matter physics. He received the Nobel Prize in Physics for their explanation of the fractional quantum Hall effect, a discovery that fundamentally changed understanding of how electrons behave in strong magnetic fields. Beyond his research, he has served as a professor at Stanford University and contributed to science education and policy through memberships in prestigious scientific organizations. ## Biography - **Nationality:** American - **Field(s):** physics - **Occupation:** physicist, university teacher, non-fiction writer - **Employer(s):** Stanford University (current), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of California Berkeley, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Bell Labs - **Known for:** Explanation of the fractional quantum Hall effect; Nobel Prize in Physics - **Website:** https://profiles.stanford.edu/robert-laughlin ## Contributions - **Nobel Prize in Physics:** Awarded for the theoretical explanation of the fractional quantum Hall effect, a phenomenon in condensed matter physics where electrons in a strong magnetic field exhibit fractionally charged excitations - **Theoretical Work:** Developed the theory explaining how electrons in two-dimensional systems under extreme conditions can form new types of particles with fractional electric charge - **Academic Publications:** Authored numerous papers in physics and contributed to non-fiction writing about science - **Teaching and Mentorship:** Served as a university professor at multiple major research institutions ## FAQs **Where has Robert B. Laughlin worked?** Robert B. Laughlin has held positions at Stanford University (where he maintains a profile), the University of California Berkeley, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Bell Labs. **What awards has Robert B. Laughlin received?** He has received the Nobel Prize in Physics, the Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize, the Onsager Medal, and the Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award. **What organizations is Robert B. Laughlin affiliated with?** He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and American Physical Society. **What is Robert B. Laughlin's field of expertise?** His primary field is physics, specifically condensed matter physics. ## Why They Matter Robert B. Laughlin's explanation of the fractional quantum Hall effect represented a paradigm shift in condensed matter physics. His work demonstrated that under certain extreme conditions—very low temperatures and strong magnetic fields—electrons can behave in ways that produce entirely new types of quasi-particles with fractional charge. This discovery fundamentally expanded understanding of quantum mechanics and led to the development of the concept of composite fermions. His theoretical framework has influenced generations of physicists and continues to inform research in quantum physics and related fields. Without his contributions, the understanding of quantum Hall phenomena would remain incomplete, and the pathway to topological quantum computing would be significantly hindered. ## Notable For - Nobel Prize in Physics laureate - Member of the National Academy of Sciences (elected 1993) - Recipient of the Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize - Recipient of the Onsager Medal (1993) - Recipient of the Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award - Fellow of the American Physical Society - Author of non-fiction scientific works ## Body ### Early Life and Background Robert Betts Laughlin was born in the United States and pursued his education in physics at American universities. His nationality is American, and he has been affiliated with some of the most prestigious scientific institutions in the United States throughout his career. ### Academic Career Laughlin's academic career has spanned multiple elite research institutions. At Stanford University, he serves as a professor and maintains an active research profile. His time at the University of California Berkeley provided significant research opportunities in condensed matter physics. Earlier in his career, he was associated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, one of the world's leading technical universities. His industrial research experience includes work at Bell Labs, the legendary research institution that produced numerous Nobel laureates, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a federal research institute known for its work in physics and national security. ### Research Contributions The core of Laughlin's scientific achievement lies in his theoretical explanation of the fractional quantum Hall effect. This phenomenon, discovered experimentally in the early 1980s, showed that when electrons are confined to two dimensions and subjected to strong magnetic fields at very low temperatures, they exhibit unexpected electrical properties. Laughlin developed a theory that explained these observations by proposing that the electrons form new types of composite particles with fractional electric charge. This work fundamentally changed understanding of quantum mechanics in condensed matter systems and opened entirely new avenues of theoretical physics research. ### Recognition and Awards The Nobel Prize in Physics represents the pinnacle of recognition for Laughlin's contributions. He has also received the Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in condensed matter physics, as well as the Onsager Medal and the Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award. His election to the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Physical Society reflects his standing in the scientific community. He is also a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. ### Publications and Writing Beyond his research papers, Laughlin has contributed to science communication through non-fiction writing, helping to make complex physics concepts accessible to broader audiences. His work as a university teacher has allowed him to mentor the next generation of physicists. ### Legacy and Influence Laughlin's theoretical framework for understanding the fractional quantum Hall effect has become foundational in condensed matter physics. His work established that emergent phenomena in complex quantum systems can produce entirely new types of particles and interactions that do not exist in simpler systems. This insight has influenced research in topological phases of matter, quantum computing, and other cutting-edge areas of physics. The concept of composite fermions and the theoretical tools he developed continue to be used by physicists worldwide to understand and predict quantum phenomena in complex materials. ## References 1. [The Nobel Prize in Physics 1998. nobelprize.org](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1998/summary/) 2. [Table showing prize amounts. Nobel Foundation. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2019/04/prize-amounts-2020.pdf) 3. [Source](https://www.aps.org/programs/honors/prizes/buckley.cfm) 4. [Source](https://science.osti.gov/lawrence/Award-Laureates) 5. [Franklin Institute website](https://fi.edu/en/awards/laureates/robert-b-laughlin) 6. [Franklin Institute website](https://fi.edu/en/awards/laureates/horst-l-stormer) 7. Mathematics Genealogy Project 8. International Standard Name Identifier 9. Virtual International Authority File 10. CiNii Research 11. MusicBrainz 12. NNDB 13. SNAC 14. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 15. Munzinger Personen 16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 17. Open Library 18. [Robert Laughlin | Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials](https://glam.stanford.edu/people/robert-laughlin) 19. Autoritats UB 20. Goodreads