9528578 Fisher Dr. Matthew P. A. Fisher of the Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, is the 20th recipient of the Alan T. Waterman award. Fisher will receive $500,000 in research support over three years as part of this award. The Alan T. Waterman Award Committee overviewed the recommendation process after receiving 96 nominations. The National Science Board unanimously agreed to present the award to this theoretical physicist. The National Science Foundation presents this annual award to a promising scientist, no more than 35 years of age or within five years of receiving his/her Ph.D., who is judged to be in the forefront of his/her field. The committee recognized Fisher for his pioneering contributions to the theory of disordered superconductors. He is an outstanding condensed matter theorist who predicted a new state of superconductive matter, the "vortex glass" phase. This novel prediction was compellingly confirmed by experiment shortly afterwards. The work of Fisher in this area has had a major impact on the field of high-temperature superconductivity. He also developed a theory to describe how superconductivity is destroyed with increasing disorder, predicting that the material would pass directly into an insulating phase as disorder increases. In other work, he developed a theory of quantum transport for one-dimensional metals, enabling the first definitive experimental search for this new metallic phase. Fisher has emerged as a leader among his generation of condensed matter theorists. His creativity, originality, and leadership ability set him apart in this field and have inspired both experimental and theoretical progress. The award is the most prestigious honor of the National Science Foundation for young researchers. *** Report on the 1995 Alan T. Waterman Award recipient Dr. Matthew P.A. Fisher Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara DATE: 7/18/95 PROPOSAL: DMR-9528578 Dr. Matthew P. A. Fisher of the Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, is the 20th recipient of the Alan T. Waterman award. The National Science Foundation presents this annual award to a promising scientist, no more than 35 years of age or within five years of receiving his/her Ph.D., who is judged to be in the forefront of his/her field. Fisher will receive $500,000 in research support over three years as part of this award. The Alan T. Waterman Award Committee (see following list of names) overviewed the recommendation process after receiving 96 nominations in response to a September 1, 1994 Dear Colleague letter. The National Science Board unanimously agreed to present the award to this theoretical physicist at its March 20, 1995 Executive Closed Session Meeting following a report by Dr. Neal F. Lane, Director and Chair of the Executive Committee, on behalf of the committee. Dr. Lane and Dr. Frank Rhodes (Chairman of the National Science Board) notified Fisher of the award by letter on April 6, 1995. The committee recognized Fisher for his pioneering contributions to the theory of disopdered superconductors. He is an outstanding condensed matter theorist who predicted a new state of superconductive matter, the "vortex glass" phase. This novel prediction was compellingly confirmed by experiment shortly afterwards. The work of Fisher in this area has had a major impact on the field of high-temperature superconductivity. He also developed a theory to describe how superconductivity is destroyed with increasing disorder, predicting that the material would pass directly into an insulating phase as disorder increases. In other work, he developed a theory of quantum transport for one-dimensional metals, enabling the first definitive experimental search for this new metallic phase. Fisher has emerged as a leader among his generation of condensed matter theo rists. His creativity, originality, and leadership ability set him apart in this field and have inspired both experimental and theoretical progress. The award is the most prestigious honor of the National Science Foundation for young researchers. Craig Rottman Program Director, Materials Theory, DMR/MPS
