- #31
Joel94
isnt topology just pure maths?
How Is Thouless Pronounced in the Context of the Nobel Prize Announcement?
- Context: News
- Thread starter Orodruin
- Start date
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- Tags
- 2016 Nobel prize Physics
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the announcement of the Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to David J. Thouless, F. Duncan M. Haldane, and J. Michael Kosterlitz for their theoretical discoveries related to topological phase transitions and topological phases of matter. Participants explore the implications of this award, the significance of the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition, and the context of recent advancements in the field.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Debate/contested
- Meta-discussion
Main Points Raised
- Some participants note the surprise of the award, suggesting that the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition was previously overlooked for a Nobel Prize.
- Others discuss the relevance of recent work on topological insulators and Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) as factors in the timing of the award.
- A participant expresses uncertainty about how to explain the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition at a popular science level, indicating a need for accessible explanations.
- There are mentions of the ongoing anticipation for a Nobel Prize related to gravitational waves, with some participants speculating on the nomination process and the committee's considerations.
- Some participants express opinions on other physicists they believe are deserving of a Nobel Prize, such as Lene Hau and Vera Rubin.
- Questions arise regarding the terminology of "gap" and "gapless" in the context of spin chains, indicating a need for clarification on these concepts.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a mix of opinions regarding the significance of the Nobel Prize winners and the implications of their work. There is no consensus on the explanations for the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition or the future of gravitational wave research in relation to the Nobel Prize.
Contextual Notes
Participants highlight the complexity of explaining advanced topics in theoretical physics to a general audience, indicating that the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition does not fit neatly into traditional symmetry-breaking phase transition frameworks.
Who May Find This Useful
This discussion may be of interest to physicists, educators, and students seeking to understand the implications of the Nobel Prize in Physics, particularly in the context of topological phases of matter and the challenges of communicating complex scientific concepts.
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