- 1986 Wolf Prize in Physics
Intro
Experimental physicist who studies the
implications of nonlinear dynamics on the physical world. In 1986, he won the Wolf Prize in Physics for his brilliant experimental demonstration of the transition to turbulence and chaos in dynamic systems
Education and Work Experience
1965, Ph.D. in Physics, École Normale Supérieure
1974-1983, Director of Research, National Center for Scientific Research 1995, Detlev W. Bronk Professor, Rockefeller University
2001-Present, Member of the International Board of Governors and the Scientific and Academic Advisory Committee, Weizmann Institute of Science
Honors and Awards
1986, Wolf Prize in Physics
1986-1991, MacArthur Fellowship
2007, Member of the United States National Academy of Sciences
2019, Weizmann Institute International Board, Life Member
Major Academic Achievements
Prof. Albert Libchaber made major contributions in experimental condensed matter physics. In particular, he carried out the first experimental observation of the bifurcation cascade that leads to chaos and turbulence in convective Rayleigh-Bénard systems. Using microbolometers engraved in the convective cell he was able to observe temperature fluctuations without perturbing the environment. In this way, he clearly observed the bifurcations that lead to chaos: period doubling, possibly accompanied by locking of several incommensurate frequencies. The theoretical predictions of Mitchell Feigenbaum were thus entirely confirmed. He now works on aspects of cell biology related to artificial life, the origin of life, and various physical aspects of cell biology,