Greg Boebinger

Greg Boebinger is an American physicist renowned for his leadership in high magnetic field science and his research on correlated electron systems. He served as the director of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, a premier user facility supported by the National Science Foundation and the State of Florida. His experimental work has significantly advanced the understanding of high-temperature superconductivity and novel phases in quantum materials.

Early life and education

Boebinger completed his undergraduate studies in physics at the University of California, Berkeley, a leading institution in the University of California system. He then pursued his doctoral degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where his research focused on experimental condensed matter physics. His graduate work, conducted under the guidance of prominent physicists in the field, laid the foundation for his future investigations into superconductivity and magnetotransport phenomena in complex materials.

Career and research

Following his PhD, Boebinger began his professional career as a staff scientist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. There, he conducted pioneering experiments utilizing high magnetic fields to probe the properties of cuprate superconductors and other strongly correlated materials. His research often involved the unique capabilities of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory's Pulsed Field Facility at Los Alamos. In 2004, he joined the Florida State University faculty and assumed a leadership role at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, eventually becoming its director. His scientific contributions include key studies on the pseudogap phase in high-temperature superconductors, the metal-insulator transition in various oxides, and the exploration of topological insulators under extreme conditions.

Leadership and directorships

Boebinger served as the director of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory from 2015 to 2023, overseeing its operations across its three campuses: Florida State University in Tallahassee, the University of Florida, and the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Under his leadership, the lab commissioned record-breaking magnets, including the 45-tesla hybrid magnet, and expanded its user program for the international scientific community. He played a crucial role in strengthening partnerships with the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, and other funding agencies. He also served on numerous advisory committees for institutions like the Argonne National Laboratory and the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource.

Awards and honors

In recognition of his contributions to physics, Boebinger was elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society. This honor cited his leadership in high magnetic field science and his experimental elucidation of correlated electron phenomena. His work and the facilities he directed have been instrumental in research recognized by awards such as the Buckley Prize and the Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize, awarded to other scientists for discoveries made using the lab's resources.

Selected publications

Boebinger's research is documented in numerous articles in high-impact journals. Key publications include studies on the normal state of high-Tc superconductors in *Physical Review Letters*, investigations of charge density wave order in *Science*, and comprehensive reviews on the use of high magnetic fields in *Nature Physics*. His collaborative work often appears in journals such as *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences* and *Physical Review B*, covering topics from quantum criticality to the properties of iron-based superconductors.

Category:American physicists Category:Condensed matter physicists Category:Florida State University faculty Category:Living people