Giovanni Jona-Lasinio
Encyclopedia
Giovanni Jona-Lasinio sometimes called Gianni Jona, is an influential Italian theoretical physicist
, best known for his works on quantum field theory
and statistical mechanics
. He pioneered research concerning spontaneous symmetry breaking
, and the Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model
is named after him. At present, he holds a faculty position in the Physics Department of Sapienza University of Rome, and is a full member of the Accademia dei Lincei
.
, Jewish on his father's side. From 1970 to 1974 he taught electrodynamics at University of Padua
. Since 1974 he has been full professor at Sapienza University of Rome, where he teaches mathematical methods of physics. He spent several years abroad, doing his research also at University of Chicago
(1959–60), CERN
(1964–65), MIT (1965–66), Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques
(1980–81), Université Pierre et Marie Curie (1983–84). In 2004, the Journal of Statistical Physics
, a scientific magazine about statistical mechanics, dedicated a special issue in honor of Giovanni Jona-Lasinio.
Theoretical physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics which employs mathematical models and abstractions of physics to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena...
, best known for his works on quantum field theory
Quantum field theory
Quantum field theory provides a theoretical framework for constructing quantum mechanical models of systems classically parametrized by an infinite number of dynamical degrees of freedom, that is, fields and many-body systems. It is the natural and quantitative language of particle physics and...
and statistical mechanics
Statistical mechanics
Statistical mechanics or statistical thermodynamicsThe terms statistical mechanics and statistical thermodynamics are used interchangeably...
. He pioneered research concerning spontaneous symmetry breaking
Spontaneous symmetry breaking
Spontaneous symmetry breaking is the process by which a system described in a theoretically symmetrical way ends up in an apparently asymmetric state....
, and the Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model
Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model
In quantum field theory, the Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model is a theory of nucleons and mesons constructed from interacting Dirac fermions with chiral symmetry which parallels the construction of Cooper pairs from electrons in the BCS theory of superconductivity...
is named after him. At present, he holds a faculty position in the Physics Department of Sapienza University of Rome, and is a full member of the Accademia dei Lincei
Accademia dei Lincei
The Accademia dei Lincei, , is an Italian science academy, located at the Palazzo Corsini on the Via della Lungara in Rome, Italy....
.
Life
Giovanni Jona-Lasinio was born in FlorenceFlorence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, Jewish on his father's side. From 1970 to 1974 he taught electrodynamics at University of Padua
University of Padua
The University of Padua is a premier Italian university located in the city of Padua, Italy. The University of Padua was founded in 1222 as a school of law and was one of the most prominent universities in early modern Europe. It is among the earliest universities of the world and the second...
. Since 1974 he has been full professor at Sapienza University of Rome, where he teaches mathematical methods of physics. He spent several years abroad, doing his research also at University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
(1959–60), CERN
CERN
The European Organization for Nuclear Research , known as CERN , is an international organization whose purpose is to operate the world's largest particle physics laboratory, which is situated in the northwest suburbs of Geneva on the Franco–Swiss border...
(1964–65), MIT (1965–66), Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques
Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques
The Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques is a French institute supporting advanced research in mathematics and theoretical physics...
(1980–81), Université Pierre et Marie Curie (1983–84). In 2004, the Journal of Statistical Physics
Journal of Statistical Physics
The Journal of Statistical Physics is a bi-monthly publication containing both original and review papers, including book reviews. All areas of statistical physics as well as related fields concerned with collective phenomena in physical systems are covered. The Journal of Statistical Physics has...
, a scientific magazine about statistical mechanics, dedicated a special issue in honor of Giovanni Jona-Lasinio.
