Philip Anderson
Early Life and Education
Philip Warren Anderson was born on December 13, 1923, in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. He was the son of a professor of plant pathology at the University of Illinois. His early interest in science and mathematics was encouraged by his father and by private study. He received his B.S. degree in 1943 from Harvard University, where he studied physics.
During World War II, Anderson was recruited to work on theoretical studies in operations research for the U.S. Navy, which delayed his pursuit of a graduate degree. After the war, he returned to Harvard to complete his Ph.D. in physics under the supervision of John Hasbrouck Van Vleck, a pioneer in the field of quantum mechanics.
Career and Contributions to Physics
After obtaining his Ph.D. in 1949, Anderson joined the research staff at Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, New Jersey. There, he began his work on condensed matter physics, which would become his lifelong research focus. His work at Bell Labs led to fundamental breakthroughs in our understanding of electronic structure, magnetism, and superconductivity.
One of his most significant contributions to physics was the development of the Anderson localization principle. This principle, which he proposed in 1958, explains how disorder in a material can cause electron wave functions to become localized, leading to the absence of electrical conduction. This work has had profound implications for our understanding of electronic materials and has influenced the development of modern electronic devices.
In 1962, Anderson introduced the concept of symmetry breaking in particle physics, which has become a fundamental principle in the standard model of particle physics. This work led to the prediction of the Higgs boson, a particle that was eventually discovered in 2012 at the Large Hadron Collider.
In the field of magnetism, Anderson proposed the resonating valence bond (RVB) theory to explain the unusual behavior of certain magnetic materials. This theory has been influential in the field of high-temperature superconductivity.
In 1977, Anderson moved to Princeton University where he continued his research in condensed matter physics. He also served as a professor at the University of Cambridge and was a visiting professor at several other institutions around the world.
Honors and Awards
Anderson's contributions to physics have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1977, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics, shared with Sir Nevill Francis Mott and John Hasbrouck Van Vleck, "for their fundamental theoretical investigations of the electronic structure of magnetic and disordered systems". His work on broken symmetry in particle physics and condensed matter physics was particularly highlighted.
In addition to the Nobel Prize, Anderson received the Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize in 1964, the National Medal of Science in 1982, and the Kyoto Prize in Basic Science in 1999. He was also elected to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Legacy
Philip Anderson's work has left a lasting impact on the field of physics. His theories and principles continue to be fundamental to our understanding of electronic materials, magnetism, and particle physics. His work has influenced the development of modern electronic devices and has contributed to the discovery of new particles in particle physics.
Anderson passed away on March 29, 2020, but his legacy continues to inspire and guide physicists around the world.