SC Connecticut News

Steven Girvin, a theoretical physicist and pioneer in the field of quantum physics, has been named the Sterling Professor of Physics and professor of applied physics at Yale University, effective immediately.

A Sterling Professorship is regarded as the highest academic honor a Yale professor can receive.

Girvin joined the Yale faculty in 2001 and is a member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) in the Department of Physics. He also holds a secondary appointment in Applied Physics at the Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science. He earned his Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Princeton University in 1977.

Girvin’s research focuses on theoretical studies of quantum many-particle systems, atomic physics, quantum optics, and quantum computation. His work at Yale on "Circuit QED," which involves the quantum physics of microwave electrical circuits using superconducting Josephson junctions as artificial atoms coupled to individual microwave photons, has shed light on interactions between light and matter. The Yale team consisting of Girvin, Robert Schoelkopf, and Michel Devoret implemented the first all-electronic quantum processor and executed two-qubit quantum algorithms. Across more than 300 published papers, over 600 talks and presentations, and two books, he has provided insights into problems such as the quantum Hall effect, the superconductor-insulator transition, and quantum spin chains.

"His contributions to quantum computing are profound and have the potential to transform the future of physics," said FAS Dean Tamar Gendler.

In addition to his position on the Yale faculty, Girvin has held several leadership roles demonstrating his national and global influence. From 2020 to 2021, he served as founding director of the Co-Design Center for Quantum Advantage at Brookhaven National Laboratory; in 2019 he was a member of the National Academy of Sciences Strategic Planning Committee; he was a founding member of scientific advisory boards for the Simons Foundation; and he served on the program committee for the Nobel Symposium on Emerging Quantum Technologies from 2018 to 2022.

He has also served on advisory boards for various quantum-focused research centers including those at institutions like University of Maryland, University of Washington, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics (KITP), Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics (NORDITA), and WACQT - Sweden's national effort in Quantum Technology. He co-founded Boulder Summer School in Condensed Matter and Materials Physics; held leadership roles within American Physical Society (APS); shaped research agendas through numerous panels with National Science Foundation (NSF), editorial boards or program committees.

At Yale itself Girvin served as deputy provost for science & technology from 2007-2015 followed by being deputy provost overseeing research between years 2015-17 while maintaining central involvement with its Quantum Institute initiatives.

Recognized globally among peers across academia/industry alike: elected fellow statuses under APS/American Association Advancement Science/American Academy Arts Sciences along becoming foreign member Royal Swedish Academy Sciences besides membership US National Academy Sciences further augmenting recognition include awards such Oliver E Buckley Prize jointly awarded alongside Allan H MacDonald James P Eisenstein back year'07 honoring collaborative work around fundamental experimental/theoretical correlated electron states found low dimensional systems additionally receiving honorary degree Chalmers Univ Tech '17 recognizing contribution towards Circuit QED development similarly '03 saw him receiving inaugural Conde Award Teaching Excellence Dept Physics

Before joining Yale faculty Steven Girvin previously held Distinguished Professorship Indiana University