Dr. Alex Zettl

Professor

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Biography

Alex Zettl received a B.A. from UC Berkeley in 1978 and a Ph.D. from UCLA in 1983. He joined the Physics Department faculty at UC Berkeley in 1983 and is currently a Professor Emeritus. He is also a Senior Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a member of the Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at Berkeley. Zettl's research interests focus on experimental condensed matter physics, including the synthesis and characterization of novel materials and unusual electronic and magnetic ground states in low-dimensional nanoscale structures. His work has included investigating charge and spin-density-wave conductors, superconductors, and giant magnetoresistance materials. He combines various experimental characterization techniques, such as structural measurements and general transport coefficients, alongside high magnetic field and high-pressure studies. Zettl has received numerous awards for his contributions to the field, including the Presidential Young Investigator Award and the Sloan Foundation Fellowship. His current projects involve high-temperature superconductors and the properties of fullerene-based materials and nanotubes.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor Emeritus

1983-01-01 — Present

University of California, Berkeley • Berkeley, CA

Serving as a senior faculty member in the Physics Department, focusing on experimental condensed matter physics research.

Awards

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Presidential Young Investigator Award

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Sloan Foundation Fellowship

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Miller Professorship

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Fellow of the American Physical Society

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James C. McGroddy Prize for New Materials

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R&D 100 Award

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.