Nobel Laureate Kosterlitz on Discovery, Topology, and the Joy of Physics

In a revealing interview, Prof. J. Michael Kosterlitz, the 2016 Nobel Prize Winner for Physics, shares the story behind his groundbreaking discovery of the Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT) transition. Alongside David Thouless, Kosterlitz challenged the conventional wisdom that two-dimensional systems could not undergo phase transitions, introducing topological concepts into physics that have since transformed the field. Their work on vortex-antivortex pairs and the KT transition has found applications in superconductivity, superfluidity, and 2D materials, paving the way for advancements in topological insulators and quantum computing. Kosterlitz emphasizes the importance of curiosity, fun, and cross-disciplinary collaboration in scientific discovery, offering advice to the next generation of physicists to pursue what excites them without fear of skepticism.

The interview, published in eLight, highlights Kosterlitz's journey from an initial lack of knowledge in condensed matter physics to a Nobel Prize-winning discovery, underscoring the value of open-mindedness and persistence in research. His collaboration with Thouless and subsequent experimental verifications by others, like David R. Nelson, illustrate the collaborative nature of scientific progress. Kosterlitz's reflections on the unsolved questions in condensed matter physics and the potential of topological materials offer a glimpse into the future directions of the field.