PHYSICS ILLINOIS NEWS THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN • 2003 NUMBER 2 Tony Leggett Named 2003 Nobel Laureate in Physics directions for research in the quantum transmitted this information to several When Leggett came to Illinois physics of macroscopic systems and theorists, including Leggett. According as the John D. and Catherine T. the use of condensed matter systems to Richardson, Leggett came up with MacArthur Chair in 1983, he was to test the foundations of quantum the explanation in less than three already widely recognized as a world mechanics. He is a master at under- weeks, working out the complete leader in the theory of low-tempera- standing how the most fundamental theory from their data. ture physics. According to Ralph laws of nature—the weird world of That discovery was indeed worthy Simmons, professor emeritus and head quantum mechanics that tells us how of a Nobel Prize, and in 1996, the of the Department of Physics at that atoms work—apply to the everyday award was given to the original three time, the MacArthur Foundation had world we live in. He has added experimenters. In the announcement settled on 10 universities that were to immeasurably to the rich intellectual of the 1996 Nobel Prize in Physics, be given endowments for professor- development of condensed matter Leggett was cited for assisting the prize ships. The University of Illinois was physics at the University of Illinois, winners in their interpretation of the one of only two public universities and he has unlocked the door to experiments that led to a breakthrough on the list. discovery, that greatest of all human in low-temperature physics. “When the Department got an endeavors.” In his statement to the media on opportunity to compete for the Anthony J. Leggett, the John D. and The decisive theory explaining October 7, Leggett said that he had MacArthur professorship awarded to Catherine T. MacArthur Professor and how the helium atoms interact and are thought about winning a Nobel Prize this campus, we thought at once of Center for Advanced Study Professor ordered in the superfluid state was some day, but, “realistically, I gave Tony Leggett,” Simmons explained. of Physics, has been awarded the 2003 formulated while Leggett was working myself a 10 percent chance.” He noted “I called him about our enthusiasm to Nobel Prize in Physics. He shares the at the University of Sussex in England. that his work exploited and applied nominate him, and he had no ques- prize “for pioneering contributions to Theorists had long expected that 3He the Nobel Prize-winning work on tions about the quality of the Depart- the theory of superconductors and would become a superfluid and superconductivity by John Bardeen ment. He did comment, however, that superfluids” with Alexei Abrikosov predicted the transition temperature. and colleagues Leon Cooper and he’d heard that all the magnificent elm of Argonne National Laboratory and In 1972, Douglas Osheroff, Robert Schrieffer, adding, “I’m sure trees were gone. Fortunately, he and Vitaly Ginzburg of the Lebedev Robert Richardson, and David Lee at without my postdoctoral year here, his family consented to visit anyway. Physical Institute in Moscow. Cornell discovered the superfluid state this work would never have been We have been extremely fortunate, In her announcement on of 3He through their experiments with done.” (Leggett worked with David ever since, to enjoy his many October 7, 2003, University of Illinois nuclear magnetic resonance. Because Pines as a postdoctoral research contributions to departmental life.” Chancellor Nancy Cantor stated that there were major aspects of their data associate in 1964–65.) “Tony Leggett has shaped our under- that they did not understand, they standing of superfluids and set Physics Van Milestone—Almost 50,000 Smiles and a Van of Its Own Now in its 10th year, the Physics Van as far north as Madison, Wisconsin (http://van.hep.uiuc.edu/) is one (where they performed—and won of the University of Illinois’ most third place!—at the University of successful outreach programs. Wisconsin’s Engineering Expo), and More than 60 undergraduate student as far west as Snowmass, Colorado volunteers from physics and engineer- (where they showed the high-energy ing spend countless hours each physicists attending the 2001 semester in a traveling science road Snowmass Conference how to bring show, bringing the wonder of science to the public). They even had scientific discovery to children. a two-day gig at the Adler Planetarium The Van will soon present Show in Chicago in May, and they are an #400. To date, more than 47,000 annual summer attraction at the youngsters, parents, and teachers have University of Illinois tent at the experienced the adventure that is Illinois State Fair. “doing physics,” thanks to the ingenu- Recently, two of the Van ity, dedication, and plain hard work volunteers—Sara W. Pogatshnik and of these outstanding students. Jonathan D. Wilson—were recognized The College of Engineering with the 2003 Physics Student recently recognized the importance Outreach Award. The award, which of this innovative program by giving was instituted in the mid-1990s, is the department its very own van. given annually to one or two students No longer will the Van crew have to who have shown a special interest and load and unload a vehicle from the aptitude for sharing their love of University motor pool for every show. physics with children. Every week throughout the In addition to the live shows, Van academic year, Van volunteers travel volunteers also staff a web-based “Ask to elementary and middle schools the Physics Van” service, answering Tim McArdle, a student coordinator of the Physics Van, demonstrates how nitrogen throughout Illinois. They have been changes from a liquid into a gas—with a giant soap explosion. continued on page 12 2 PHYSICS ILLINOIS NEWS • 2003 NUMBER 2 J. Leggett, John D. and Catherine T. aware of, undoubtedly I am overlook- TAs and RAs. These increases were MacArthur Professor of Physics and ing numerous other alumni achieve- essential to retaining our competitive- Center for Advanced Study faculty ments. Do keep me informed of your ness, given the salary freeze of the member, had won the 2003 Nobel activities, achievements, and awards. preceding year. We were also able to Prize in Physics. The news was Another success in the past make a superb new hire in the atomic, electrifying, and it is a fitting tribute academic year was the completion in molecular, optical area, thereby to an extraordinary physicist and a early summer 2003 of the $3 million expanding our thrust in quantum colleague who is generous with his remodeling project for the top five information research. Additional time and ideas with faculty, postdocs, floors of the Engineering Sciences faculty searches are underway this year. and students alike. The next day at Building (ESB), the high-rise section Sustaining the excellence and the start of Tony’s class, “Supercon- of the former Coordinated Science competitiveness of the Department of ductivity: Ancient and Modern,” his Laboratory. The remodeling converted Physics in the future will require new Letter from students paid him a heartfelt tribute dysfunctional space assigned to sources of funds and additional space. by presenting him their writing Physics many years ago into a bright There is little hope that the long-term the Head pens—a moment inspired by a scene and interactive new home for the trend of decreasing state funding for in the movie A Beautiful Mind. condensed matter theory group— the University will reverse or even halt. We have focused this edition of Physics The faculty’s harvest of awards, faculty, postdocs, and students alike. Private gifts, named professorships Illinois News on some of our vibrant prizes, and accomplishments over The remodeling also provides larger and endowed chairs, undergraduate educational initiatives and outreach the past year has been a rich one. and more attractive space for all of our scholarships, stipends for undergradu- programs. I’m sure you will be proud In addition to Nobel and Wolf prizes junior- and senior-level laboratory ate summer research, and graduate of the efforts that your department is won by Tony Leggett, Dale Van courses, including a new spectroscopy fellowships will all be needed in much making to ensure that all our students Harlingen was chosen for a College of lab course. Areas that have opened up greater measure than in the past. have the opportunity to succeed and Engineering Willet Professorship and in Loomis by these moves to ESB are As we will rapidly saturate the that they are well prepared for their elected to the National Academy of being put to new uses, providing badly newly available space in Loomis, it is future careers. We also take as part of Sciences. Jim Wolfe was recognized needed research space for existing and apparent that additional space will our mission encouraging more young with the APS Frank Isakson Prize. new faculty members. soon be needed. The best solution people to consider scientific and Gordon Baym was invested as a In the midst of our successes, appears to be a second building, in technical pursuits and making science George and Ann Fisher Distinguished however, is the ongoing concern about close proximity to Loomis, containing more accessible to the general public. Professor of Engineering, and Naomi our financial well-being. A second year a mix of teaching and research func- In other good news, our incoming Makins and Ali Yazdani were named of reductions in State of Illinois’ tions. But funding for an adjunct undergraduate and graduate student Willett Faculty Scholars. These are just recurring funding for the University building is unlikely to come from numbers are up substantially; the Fall a few highlights of the many junior of Illinois has created budgetary crises the state alone.