Subir Sachdev
Encyclopedia
Subir Sachdev is a Professor
of Physics
at Harvard University
specializing in condensed matter
. He is known for his research on quantum phase transition
s, and for a textbook on the subject. In particular, he is famous for exploiting a connection between the electronic properties of materials near a quantum phase transition
and the quantum theory of black holes.
degree in theoretical physics. He held professional positions at Bell Labs
(1985–1987) and at Yale University
(1987–2005), where he was a Professor of Physics, before returning to Harvard. He currently holds visiting positions at various universities.
Juan Maldacena discovered the AdS/CFT correspondence
of string theory
in 1997. In 2007, Sachdev, along with Christopher Herzog, Pavel Kovtun and Dam Thanh Son first used the AdS/CFT correspondence
of string theory
to study problems in condensed matter physics
such as the description of 2+1 dimensional boson
Hubbard model
. With Sean Hartnoll and Markus Müller, these methods were extended to apply to a wider class of systems with variable particle densities.
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
specializing in condensed matter
Condensed Matter
Condensed matter may refer to several things*Condensed matter physics, the study of the physical properties of condensed phases of matter*European Physical Journal B: Condensed Matter and Complex Systems, a scientific journal published by EDP sciences...
. He is known for his research on quantum phase transition
Quantum phase transition
In physics, a quantum phase transition is a phase transition between different quantum phases . Contrary to classical phase transitions, quantum phase transitions can only be accessed by varying a physical parameter - such as magnetic field or pressure - at absolute zero temperature...
s, and for a textbook on the subject. In particular, he is famous for exploiting a connection between the electronic properties of materials near a quantum phase transition
Quantum phase transition
In physics, a quantum phase transition is a phase transition between different quantum phases . Contrary to classical phase transitions, quantum phase transitions can only be accessed by varying a physical parameter - such as magnetic field or pressure - at absolute zero temperature...
and the quantum theory of black holes.
Career
Sachdev was educated in India before attending MIT and Harvard, where he obtained his Ph.D.Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
degree in theoretical physics. He held professional positions at Bell Labs
Bell Labs
Bell Laboratories is the research and development subsidiary of the French-owned Alcatel-Lucent and previously of the American Telephone & Telegraph Company , half-owned through its Western Electric manufacturing subsidiary.Bell Laboratories operates its...
(1985–1987) and at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
(1987–2005), where he was a Professor of Physics, before returning to Harvard. He currently holds visiting positions at various universities.
Juan Maldacena discovered the AdS/CFT correspondence
AdS/CFT correspondence
In physics, the AdS/CFT correspondence , sometimes called the Maldacena duality, is the conjectured equivalence between a string theory and gravity defined on one space, and a quantum field theory without gravity defined on the conformal boundary of this space, whose dimension is lower by one or more...
of string theory
String theory
String theory is an active research framework in particle physics that attempts to reconcile quantum mechanics and general relativity. It is a contender for a theory of everything , a manner of describing the known fundamental forces and matter in a mathematically complete system...
in 1997. In 2007, Sachdev, along with Christopher Herzog, Pavel Kovtun and Dam Thanh Son first used the AdS/CFT correspondence
AdS/CFT correspondence
In physics, the AdS/CFT correspondence , sometimes called the Maldacena duality, is the conjectured equivalence between a string theory and gravity defined on one space, and a quantum field theory without gravity defined on the conformal boundary of this space, whose dimension is lower by one or more...
of string theory
String theory
String theory is an active research framework in particle physics that attempts to reconcile quantum mechanics and general relativity. It is a contender for a theory of everything , a manner of describing the known fundamental forces and matter in a mathematically complete system...
to study problems in condensed matter physics
Condensed matter physics
Condensed matter physics deals with the physical properties of condensed phases of matter. These properties appear when a number of atoms at the supramolecular and macromolecular scale interact strongly and adhere to each other or are otherwise highly concentrated in a system. The most familiar...
such as the description of 2+1 dimensional boson
Boson
In particle physics, bosons are subatomic particles that obey Bose–Einstein statistics. Several bosons can occupy the same quantum state. The word boson derives from the name of Satyendra Nath Bose....
Hubbard model
Hubbard model
The Hubbard model is an approximate model used, especially in solid state physics, to describe the transition between conducting and insulating systems...
. With Sean Hartnoll and Markus Müller, these methods were extended to apply to a wider class of systems with variable particle densities.
Honors
- Perimeter Institute for Theoretical PhysicsPerimeter Institute for Theoretical PhysicsPerimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics is an independent, resident-based research institute devoted to foundational issues in theoretical physics located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Perimeter Institute was founded in 1999 by Mike Lazaridis...
Distinguished Research Chair, 2009.
- John Simon Guggenheim Memorial FoundationJohn Simon Guggenheim Memorial FoundationThe John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation was founded in 1925 by Mr. and Mrs. Simon Guggenheim in memory of their son, who died April 26, 1922...
Fellow, 2003.
- Alfred P. Sloan FoundationAlfred P. Sloan FoundationThe Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is a philanthropic non-profit organization in the United States. It was established in 1934 by Alfred P. Sloan, Jr., then-President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors.-Overview:...
Fellow, February 1989.
- LeRoy Apker Award Prize Recipient, 1982.