Visit and Special Colloquium by Professor F. Duncan M. Haldane, Nobel Laureate in Physics (2016) "Quantum geometry and fluid dynamics of the quantum Hall effect"

Professor F. Duncan M. Haldane of Princeton University, recipient of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics, visited the Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, from September 29 to October 2, 2025. On September 30, a special colloquium was held, drawing an audience of approximately 200 participants, including students and faculty members from both within and outside the university.

Prof. Haldane was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics together with Professor David J. Thouless and Professor J. Michael Kosterlitz for “Theoretical discoveries of topological phase transitions and topological phases of matter.”

The event began with an introduction by Professor Masaki Oshikawa, who highlighted Prof. Haldane’s pioneering contributions to topology in condensed matter physics. Referring to the profound impact of his work, Prof. Oshikawa remarked, “Solid-state physics changed dramatically before and after Duncan. The young people here today are learning modern physics shaped in the post-Duncan era.”

In his lecture titled “Quantum geometry and fluid dynamics of the quantum Hall effect”, Prof. Haldane began by reviewing the integer and fractional quantum Hall effects, and went on to present his latest research on the role of quadrupole moments in quantum Hall fluids. Although his passionate presentation exceeded the scheduled time, students and early-career researchers listened attentively until the end.

Following the lecture, an informal gathering known as “i♡Caffe” provided an opportunity for students and early-career researchers to engage directly with Prof. Haldane. He generously answered questions, participated in discussion, and posed for photos with attendees, making the most of the time available.

This special visit was arranged on short notice to coincide with Prof. Haldane’s trip to Japan for invited lectures at the STS Forum 2025 and the Tsukuba Conference 2025. During his stay, Prof. Haldane engaged in active discussions not only at the lecture event but also with members of the theoretical group, including the Oshikawa Group, and many researchers at the Institute working on topological materials.