Anton Kapustin

Anton Kapustin. He is a prominent theoretical physicist known for his profound contributions to the understanding of topological phases of matter and their connections to quantum field theory. His research spans condensed matter physics, high-energy physics, and mathematical physics, with a focus on topological quantum field theory and topological order. Kapustin is a professor at the California Institute of Technology and a recipient of the prestigious New Horizons in Physics Prize.

Early life and education

Kapustin completed his undergraduate studies in physics at Moscow State University, a leading institution in the Soviet Union known for its rigorous programs in theoretical physics. He then pursued his doctoral degree at Princeton University, working under the guidance of prominent figures in the field. His graduate research at Princeton University was deeply influenced by the intellectual environment surrounding string theory and quantum field theory. This period solidified his foundational expertise, bridging concepts from mathematical physics and particle physics.

Career and research

Following his PhD, Kapustin held postdoctoral positions at the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara and at Harvard University. He joined the permanent faculty of the California Institute of Technology, where he is a professor in the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy. His career has been marked by collaborative work with other leading physicists such as Edward Witten and Nathan Seiberg. A central theme of Kapustin's research is the application of tools from topological quantum field theory to classify and understand topological phases of matter, including topological insulators and fractional quantum Hall states. He has made seminal contributions to the theory of symmetry protected topological order and the study of gapless edge modes. His work often explores deep dualities, such as those between gauge theory and condensed matter systems, advancing the AdS/CFT correspondence and insights into quantum entanglement.

Selected publications

Kapustin's influential papers are frequently published in leading journals like Physical Review Letters and Annals of Physics. Notable works include studies on the classification of topological insulators and superconductors using K-theory and homotopy theory. He co-authored a highly cited paper on topological field theory and symmetry protected topological phases with Edward Witten. Another significant publication explores the relationship between topological order and quantum error correction, connecting to ideas in quantum computing. His research on bosonization in higher dimensions and the quantum Hall effect has also been widely recognized within the condensed matter theory community.

Awards and honors

In recognition of his groundbreaking work, Kapustin was awarded the New Horizons in Physics Prize in 2020 for "pioneering applications of topological quantum field theory to condensed matter physics." He is a fellow of the American Physical Society, elected for his contributions to theoretical condensed matter physics. His research has been supported by grants from institutions like the National Science Foundation and the Simons Foundation. Kapustin has also been an invited speaker at major conferences including the International Congress of Mathematical Physics and the March Meeting of the American Physical Society.

Category:American theoretical physicists Category:California Institute of Technology faculty Category:Living people