F. Duncan Haldane

F. Duncan Haldane, Eugene Higgins Professor of Physics

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite

Princeton University professor F. Duncan Haldane has been awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics "for theoretical discoveries of topological phase transitions and topological phases of matter."

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite

Haldane said the Nobel Prize he shares reinforces the importance of theoretical physics. He struggled to have his early work published in the 1980s because it bucked conventional wisdom at the time regarding how matter behaved. In the past decade, however, the field of topological materials and condensed matter physics has “exploded” after scientists were able to create materials exhibiting the properties Haldane had modeled, he said.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite

Haldane keeps a whiteboard at home with his work drawn out on it. Key papers he wrote explored and modeled — in one- and two-dimensional forms — the meeting point of normal matter and topological matter, a zone of great stability and efficient particle flow. The work could be the basis for finally realizing quantum computing.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite

Haldane, pictured with his wife Odile Belmont, shares the Nobel Prize in Physics with David Thouless from the University of Washington and Michael Kosterlitz at Brown University. Haldane said their work was an important basis for his own.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite

Haldane in Princeton's Jadwin Hall Tuesday morning teaching his first class as a Nobel Laureate, "Electromagnetism: Principles and Problem Solving." As Haldane entered the room, his students erupted in applause and cheers.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite

Philip Anderson, left, a Princeton physicist who was Haldane's graduate adviser, received a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1977. In his remarks, Haldane spoke of the important mentoring role Anderson had in helping shape his career.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite

Princeton students, faculty and staff erupt in applause at the University reception and news conference held Tuesday afternoon in celebration of Haldane receiving of the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite

Haldane speaks to a packed auditorium in Taylor Auditorium in the Frick Chemistry Building. Haldane was joined on stage by (from left): Lyman Page, the James S. McConnell Distinguished University Professor in Physics and department chair; Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber; and Daniel Day, assistant vice president for communications.

Haldane, who joined the Princeton faculty in 1990, took the opportunity to explain some of the key ideas of his work and the importance of pursuing new scientific and intellectual endeavors.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite

Humor and celebration filled the day as Haldane participated in the news conference and reception.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite

Haldane (left) joins two other Princeton Nobel Laureates during the reception in his honor in the Frick atrium: Eric Wieschaus (center), Squibb Professor in Molecular Biology and a 1995 laureate in physiology and medicine; and Joseph Taylor (right), James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of Physics, Emeritus, and a 1993 laureate in physics.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite

Nai Phuan Ong, the Eugene Higgins Professor of Physics, lauds his colleague and Princeton's newest Nobel laureate as congratulations for Haldane came in from across campus and around the world.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite