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Lev Landau (1908–1968)

Master of Theoretical Physics and Phase Transitions

Lev Davidovich Landau was a brilliant Soviet physicist whose profound insights reshaped theoretical physics. Born in Baku, he developed a broad and deep understanding across many domains: quantum mechanics, condensed matter, statistical physics, and astrophysics. The Landau theory of second-order phase transitions, developed with Evgeny Lifshitz, introduced the concept of an order parameter \( \Psi \) whose behavior near the critical point determines the nature of the transition.

Contributions

• Ginzburg–Landau theory: wrote the free-energy functional \[ F = F_0 + \alpha |\Psi|^2 + \frac{\beta}{2} |\Psi|^4 + \frac{1}{2m^*} \left| \left( -i\hbar\nabla - \frac{2e}{c}\mathbf{A} \right) \Psi \right|^2 \] to describe superconductivity near the critical temperature.
• Quantum liquids: developed theories of superfluidity and Fermi liquids, introducing Landau’s quasiparticle concept.
• Field theory: formulated Landau pole and theory of renormalization group flows in quantum electrodynamics.

Legacy

Landau greatly influenced Soviet physics culture through his legendary “Theoretical Minimum” exams and the Landau–Lifshitz series of textbooks, known for their clarity and depth. Awarded the Nobel Prize in 1962, Landau cemented his place as one of the greatest theoretical physicists of the 20th century, blending mathematical elegance with physical intuition.