Pierre Hohenberg

Pierre C. Hohenberg (3 October 1934 – 15 December 2017) was a prominent French-American theoretical physicist renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to statistical mechanics and the field of condensed matter physics. He earned his academic stripes at Harvard University, completing his bachelor’s degree in 1956, a master’s degree in 1958 (following a year at École Normale Supérieure), and a doctorate in 1962. His influential career took him to various institutions, including the Institute for Physical Problems in Moscow, École Normale Supérieure in Paris, Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, and the Technical University of Munich, among others.

Hohenberg’s most enduring legacy lies in the development of the Hohenberg-Kohn theorems, formulated in collaboration with Walter Kohn. These theorems paved the way for the emergence of density functional theory (DFT), which has become a foundational framework in the study of electronic structure in quantum mechanics.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Pierre Hohenberg made significant strides in understanding dynamic critical phenomena near phase transitions. He collaborated closely with fellow physicists Bertrand Halperin, Shang-keng Ma, and Eric Siggia, employing renormalization methods to shed light on these complex phenomena. His work also extended to hydrodynamic instabilities, where he worked with Swift on the Swift–Hohenberg equation and pattern formation in non-equilibrium systems alongside Michael Cross. Hohenberg’s research demonstrated the impossibility of spontaneous symmetry breaking in one and two dimensions, a landmark achievement.

Beyond his scientific pursuits, Pierre Hohenberg was politically active, advocating for the freedom of scientists and supporting scientific efforts in the Soviet Union. He held fellowships and received accolades from esteemed institutions, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and the New York Institute for the Humanities.

Throughout his life, Hohenberg also displayed a passion for continuous distance swimming, engaging in annual races with artist/writer Richard Kostelanetz until the closure of the NYU Coles pool. Pierre C. Hohenberg’s profound contributions to theoretical physics and his dedication to various causes continue to inspire the scientific community and beyond.

Hohenberg served as a General Member at Aspen Center for Physics from 1990-1993.