Anthony Leggett is a physicist who has made pioneering contributions to our theoretical understanding of superfluids — matter that behaves like a fluid without viscosity at very low temperatures — and, in particular, of superfluid liquid helium. Anthony confirmed the unexpected existence of superfluidity in the light isotope of helium, helium-3, by explaining another research group’s unusual results.

Already observed in the abundant helium-4 isotope, Anthony established that superfluidity in 3He occurs at even lower temperatures. This is because helium-3, unlike helium-4, must pair with itself — in a similar manner to the electron pairing that facilitates superconductivity — in order for superfluidity to occur, something only possible at extremely low temperatures. The breakthrough resulted in him being jointly awarded the 2003 Nobel Prize in Physics .

Anthony has received many other honours in recognition of his insightful work. These include his election as a Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Sciences in 1997 and the 2003 Wolf Foundation Prize for his research into condensed matter physics. He received a knighthood for his services to physics in 2004.

Subject groups

• Other

  Other interests

Awards

• Nobel Prize in Physics

  Jointly with Alexei A. Abrikosov and Vitaly L. Ginzburg for pioneering contributions to the theory of superconductors and superfluids.

• Wolf Prize

  In the field of physics for key insights into the broad range of condensed matter physics.