RIP David Pines: Physics Giant Who Could Have Won Nobel Prize

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses the contributions and legacy of David Pines, a prominent figure in condensed matter physics, particularly in relation to his potential candidacy for the Nobel Prize and his influence on the field through various theories and publications. The conversation touches on his work in superconductivity and emergent phenomena.

Discussion Character

  • Meta-discussion
  • Historical

Main Points Raised

  • One participant highlights Pines as a "GIANT" in condensed matter physics, noting his foundational work with Bardeen on the BCS theory of superconductivity.
  • Another participant expresses surprise at not having heard of Pines before, acknowledging his association with notable physicists like Bardeen and Bohm.
  • There is speculation about whether Pines was ever nominated for a Nobel Prize, with one participant suggesting that the truth may not be known for some time.
  • Links to various talks and lectures by Pines are shared, emphasizing his contributions to the understanding of emergent behavior in quantum matter.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on Pines' significant contributions to physics and express regret regarding his potential Nobel nomination, but there is uncertainty about whether he was ever nominated.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference Pines' work and its impact on their own research, indicating a personal connection to his contributions, but do not delve into specific details of his theories or their implications.

ZapperZ
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This is someone you may never have heard of, but in the field of condensed matter physics, he is a GIANT.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/11/...nsightful-and-influential-physicist-dies.html

He could have won the Nobel Prize for the theory of superconductivity, but timing worked against him in the history of physics. He and Bardeen laid the ground work for the BCS theory.

The book on Fermi Liquid theory that he co-authored with Nozieres was practically my "bible" during my graduate school years. And then this two PRL papers on spin-fluctuation in high-Tc superconductors in the early 1990's were ground-breaking and had major impact on my own research work.

And of course, he became one of my "heroes" when he (along with other prominent condensed matter physicists such as Laughlin and Anderson) brought up the significance of emergent phenomena (mentioned in the NY Times article).

His work has already impacted many of the things we know of today, especially in the physics of materials. He truly is a giant in the field of physics.

Zz.
 
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Thanks Zz. I had never heard of him before but he certainly kept company with the major players Bardeen, and Bohm.

Too bad about the Nobel too. He should have been nominated.
 
jedishrfu said:
Too bad about the Nobel too. He should have been nominated.
Maybe he was, we won't know for another decade or so...
 
“Emergent Behavior in Quantum Matter” (14 Nov 2016)
http://physics.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/_/colq-pines_poster.pdf
audio improves when David Pines begins @ #t=3m23s


"Gateways to Emergent Behavior in Science and Society"
http://ias.ust.hk/web/ias/eng/event_detail.php?p=&tid=0&id=991
HKUST Jockey Club IAS Distinguished Lecture: Prof David Pines (12 Dec 2016)
starts @ #t=3m10s


David Pines, John David Jackson Award for Excellence in Graduate Physics Education (AAPT Meeting 2013)
skip to @ #t=7m00s (first of 4 parts)


https://www.santafe.edu/news-center/news/memoriam-david-pines
 
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