David Pines
David Pines (June 8, 1924 – May 3, 2018) was a US physicist recognized for his work in quantum many-body systems in condensed matter and nuclear physics. With his advisor David Bohm, he contributed to the understanding of electron interactions in metals. Bohm and Pines introduced the plasmon, the quantum of electron density oscillations in metals. They also pioneered the use of the random phase approximation. His work with John Bardeen on electron-phonon interactions led to the development of the BCS theory of superconductivity. Pines also extended BCS theory to nuclear physics to explain stability of isotopes with even and odd numbers of nucleons. He also used the theory of superfluidity to explain the glitches in neutron stars.
David Pines | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 8, 1924 |
| Died | May 3, 2018 (aged 93) Urbana, Illinois |
| Citizenship | American |
| Alma mater | University of California, Berkeley (A.B.) Princeton University (Ph.D.) |
| Known for | Nuclear pairing Plasmon Random phase approximation Hugenholtz–Pines theorem Pines' demon |
| Awards | Lilienfeld Prize (2016) Feenberg Medal (1985) UNSW Dirac Medal (1985) Racah Lecture (1974) Fritz London Lecture (1973) Guggenheim Fellowship (1962) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physics |
| Institutions | Princeton University Institute for Advanced Study UIUC University of California, Davis |
| Thesis | The role of plasma oscillations in electron interactions (1951) |
| Doctoral advisor | David Bohm |
| Doctoral students | Philippe Nozières |
| Other notable students | Anthony J. Leggett |
Pines was a promoter of the concept of emergence in physics.