Jainendra K. Jain, Evan Pugh University Professor and Erwin W. Müller Professor of Physics and holder of the Eberly Family Chair in the Penn State Eberly College of Science, has been awarded a 2025 Wolf Prize in Physics for “groundbreaking contributions to quantum matter and its topological potential” that revolutionized “our understanding of two-dimensional electron systems in strong magnetic fields.” The Wolf Prize acknowledges scientists and artists worldwide for their outstanding achievements in advancing science and the arts for the betterment of humanity.
“For over 30 years, Dr. Jain’s groundbreaking work in theoretical physics has deepened our understanding of quantum matter, paving the way for real-world innovations in high-performance electronics and quantum computing,” said President Neeli Bendapudi. “His research exemplifies the power of university-driven discovery, and we celebrate this prestigious recognition of his remarkable achievements.”
In his early theory research, Jain introduced a class of exotic particles called composite fermions, explaining that a new state of matter consisting of the intricate sequence of fractional quantum Hall states, now known as Jain states. Jain described the composite fermion as an electron trapped inside a quantum vortex in this strange liquid, sometimes thought of as an electron bound to a quantized magnetic field.
Under certain conditions, composite fermions form a superconductor—or a material that can conduct electricity without losing any energy at low temperatures—that theorists predicted would contain an even stranger particle, called a Majorana, which is its own antiparticle, or a particle with the same mass but different charge.
“I am immensely grateful to the Wolf Foundation for welcoming me into this truly esteemed community of scientists for my introduction of composite fermions,” Jain said. “The honor truly belongs to my students, collaborators and numerous other researchers whose brilliant work transformed composite fermions from an idea to reality.”
