Bertrand I. Halperin

Bertrand I. Halperin is the Hollis Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in the Department of Physics at Harvard University, where he has been a leading figure in theoretical condensed matter physics for decades. He earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and his Ph.D. from Princeton University. Halperin’s research centers on quantum and electron transport phenomena, with a particular emphasis on topological materials, superconductivity, and magnetism. His work has profoundly shaped the understanding of low-dimensional and mesoscopic systems, including pioneering contributions to the theory of the fractional quantum Hall effect, anyon statistics, and topological phases of matter. A hallmark of his research is the exploration of exotic quantum states, such as those exhibiting fractional statistics, and the development of theoretical frameworks to describe phenomena like the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition in two-dimensional superconductors. His recent publications, often in collaboration with experimental groups, address topics such as anyon braiding in graphene interferometers, noise magnetometry in superconductors, and quantum Hall interferometry, reflecting his ongoing engagement with cutting-edge experimental advances. Halperin’s influential contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including election to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. With an h-index of 84 and over 370 publications, his work continues to drive theoretical and experimental progress in condensed matter physics, particularly in the realms of topology and quantum coherence. Their research directions are illustrated by key works including "Imaging the Meissner effect and flux trapping in a hydride superconductor at megabar pressures using a nanoscale quantum sensor", and "Strongly coupled edge states in a graphene quantum Hall interferometer".