to explain the unusual phenomena associated with the world phases of matter and phase transitions, David Thouless, Duncan Haldane and Michael Kosterlitz have used mathematical methods, topology.
Topology is an important branch of mathematics concerned with the study of ownership that does not change even after significant zdeformowaniu objects such as geometric figures, bodies and objects with a large number of dimensions.
Using advanced mathematical methods of the winners this year were analyzed unusual States of matter – superconductors conducting electrical current without resistance, superciecze deprived of the viscosity of thin magnetic layers.
Kosterlitz and Thouless investigated phenomena are present in the “flat” world: on the surface or in layers so thin that they can be considered as two-dimensional compared with three-dimensional (having length, width and thickness), and which we face every day.
Haldane also investigated the matter, which forms threads so thin that they can be considered one-dimensional.
In the 80-ies. Haldane and Thouless presented a pioneering theoretical work, which had questioned existing theories regarding which materials can conduct electrical current.
Thouless using the topology described quantum Hall effect – the resistance changes occurring in thin conductive layers located between two layers of semiconductor in a strong magnetic field and at temperatures close to absolute zero.
it Turned out that these changes can take only certain integer values (1, 2, 3…), without intermediate States.
the Topology was the right key for the explanation of this puzzle – the electrons in the conductive layer between the semiconductor layers move freely, forming a so-called ” topologiczną quantum liquid. The change in resistance is precisely the quantum – occur gradually rather than continuously.
Another theoretical discovery occurred in 1988, when Haldane found that topological quantum liquid (such as that associated with quantum Hall effect) can be created in thin semiconductor layers even without the presence of a magnetic field.
In 2014, managed to confirm experimentally the results of Haldane, studying the behavior of atoms chilled nearly to the temperature of absolute zero.
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David James Thouless, a physicist working in condensed matter, after graduating from Winchester College, studied at the College of Trinity Hall at the British University of Cambridge, where in 1955 he received a bachelor’s degree.
Then for four years conducted research on nuclear matter under the guidance of Hans Bethe at Cornell University, where in 1958 he received the degree of doctor.
After several years spent at the University of California at Berkeley, worked (in the period 1965-1978) as Professor of mathematical physics at Birmingham University British. There he worked with others this year noblistą in physics Kosterlitzem.
Since 1980-Professor (now retired) of physics at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Photos. PAP/EPA/TRINITY HALL
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Frederick Michael Duncan Haldane was born in London on 14 September 1951.
Studied at Cambridge University, where in 1978 he did his doctorate. In the years 1977-1981 he worked at the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble, 1981 to 1985 was a senior lecturer of physics at the University of Southern California.
two years Later (1985-1987) worked at the famous Bell Laboratories, and then as Professor of physics to move to the University of California at San Diego (1987-1990).
Since 1990, is Professor of physics at Princeton University. For nine years (1990-1999) was also associated with the Aspen Center for Physics.
Photos. PAP/EPA/DENISE APPLEWHITE
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Michael Kosterlitz graduated from Cambridge University and Oxford University, where in 1969 he did a PhD in particle physics (high energy physics).
he also Led research at the Instituto di Fisica Teorica in Turin, Italy and at Cornell University, Princeton University, Bell Telephone Laboratories and Harvard University. He worked at the Department of Mathematical Physics University of Birmingham, where he worked with others noblistą – Thoulessem.
34 years Kosterlitz Professor of physics at the American brown University in Providence (Rhode island, USA).
Kosterlitz proposed by the AP to comment on the award of his award, said: “It was a piece of work I’ve completed like a really silly post-Doc (Dr., trainee podoktorski)”.
Photos. PAP/EPA/MARKKU OJALA
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