The 1998 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Robert B. Laughlin for his explanation of the fractional quantum Hall effect. By providing a many-body wave function in 1983, he accounted for the fractionalized charge observed in experimental settings, a discovery that fundamentally changed the understanding of condensed matter physics and established his place within the scientific community.
Academic Foundations and Early Research
Born in 1950 in Visalia, California, Laughlin attended Redwood High School before pursuing higher education. He received a B.A. in mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1972, later earning his Doctor of Philosophy in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1979. His professional career included roles at Bell Labs, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Stanford University, where he serves as the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Physics and Applied Physics.
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Laughlin is most noted for his work on the fractional quantum Hall effect, often referred to as the Effet Hall quantique. His mathematical framework, now called the Laughlin wavefunction, allowed physicists to interpret specific states as the integer quantum Hall effect of composite fermions. Störmer and Daniel C. Tsui.
Non-fiction Writing and Intellectual Advocacy
Beyond his laboratory research, Laughlin authored several books exploring the intersection of physics and societal issues. In A Different Universe: Reinventing Physics from the Bottom Down, published in 2005, he proposed emergence as an alternative to reductionist scientific methods. He later examined intellectual restrictions in The Crime of Reason: And the Closing of the Scientific Mind in 2008 and addressed energy infrastructure in his 2013 book, Powering the Future.
Technical Innovation and Energy Storage
Laughlin has maintained an active interest in energy research and applied physics. His 2017 paper, "Pumped thermal grid storage with heat exchange," became the foundational concept for Project Malta at Google X, which subsequently transitioned into the independent entity Malta Inc. This work reflects his ongoing transition from theoretical quantum mechanics to addressing practical engineering challenges in modern energy systems.
Fast facts
- Born: 1950, Visalia, United States
- Nobel Prize in Physics: 1998
- Notable work: Effet Hall quantique
- Doctorate: Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Academic affiliation: Stanford University
- Benjamin Franklin Medal: 1998
- Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize: 1986
- Primary fields: Physics, university teaching, non-fiction writing
Questions readers ask
What is the Laughlin wavefunction?
It is a many-body wave function introduced by Robert B. Laughlin in 1983 to explain the fractional quantum Hall effect and the fractionalized charge observed in experiments.
What inspired the creation of Malta Inc.?
The company was inspired by Laughlin's 2017 research paper, "Pumped thermal grid storage with heat exchange," which served as the basis for Project Malta at Google X.
Achievements
- Nobel Prize in Physics — 1998
- Notable work: Effet Hall quantique
- Affiliated with Stanford University and Bell Labs
- Educated at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of California, Berkeley
- Worked as physicist, university teacher and non-fiction writer
