Professor Dr. William Halperin

Biography

William Halperin is the Orrington Lunt Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Northwestern University. He earned his PhD from Cornell University in 1975. His research primarily focuses on low-temperature physics, particularly superfluidity and topological superconductivity. Notably, he has conducted NMR studies of high-temperature superconductors and explored fluid transport in porous media. A key aspect of his recent work is the discovery and engineering of new thermodynamic phases in superfluid 3He, utilizing highly porous silica aerogel. This work brings practical and theoretical aspects of fluid confinement and superfluidity together. Halperin collaborates closely with theoretical groups, particularly that of Professor Sauls at Northwestern, to investigate magnetic fluctuations in high-Tc superconductors using advanced NMR techniques. His research has been recognized with numerous awards including the Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship and the Fritz London Memorial Prize in 2017.

Research Interests

Awards