Arthur Jaffe
Encyclopedia
Arthur Jaffe is an American
mathematical physicist and a professor
at Harvard University
. Born on December 22, 1937 he attended Princeton University
as an undergraduate obtaining a degree in chemistry
, and later Clare College, Cambridge
, as a Marshall Scholar, obtaining a degree in mathematics. He then returned to Princeton, obtaining a doctorate in physics
.
With James Glimm
, he founded the subject called constructive quantum field theory
. One of their major achievements was to show the mathematical compatibility of quantum theory, special relativity, and interaction. They did this by proving the existence of the first examples of non-linear, relativistic quantum fields with non-trivial scattering. Jaffe's work in several related fields of mathematics and physics is well-known, including contributions to gauge theory and to non-commutative geometry.
For several years Jaffe was president of the International Association of Mathematical Physics
, and later of the American Mathematical Society
. He chaired the Council of Scientific Society Presidents.
Jaffe conceived the idea of the Clay Mathematics Institute
and its programs, including the employment of research fellows and the Millennium Prizes in mathematics. The latter immediately captured public imagination worldwide. He served as a founding Member, a founding member of the Board, and the founding President of that organization.
Arthur Jaffe began as chief editor of Communications in Mathematical Physics
in 1979 and served for 21 years until 2001, when he was succeeded by Michael Aizenman
.
Jaffe has associations with several other notable organizations, including his present role as Chair of the Board of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
, School of Theoretical Physics.
Currently Jaffe teaches Mathematical Physics and pursues research at Harvard University.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
mathematical physicist and a professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. Born on December 22, 1937 he attended Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
as an undergraduate obtaining a degree in chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, and later Clare College, Cambridge
Clare College, Cambridge
Clare College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1326, making it the second-oldest surviving college of the University after Peterhouse. Clare is famous for its chapel choir and for its gardens on "the Backs"...
, as a Marshall Scholar, obtaining a degree in mathematics. He then returned to Princeton, obtaining a doctorate in physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
.
With James Glimm
James Glimm
James Gilbert Glimm is an American mathematical physicist, and Professor at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.James Glimm was born in Peoria, Illinois, USA on 24 March 1934.- Career :...
, he founded the subject called constructive quantum field theory
Constructive quantum field theory
In mathematical physics, constructive quantum field theory is the field devoted to showing that quantum theory is mathematically compatible with special relativity. This demonstration requires new mathematics, in a sense analogous to Newton developing calculus in order to understand planetary...
. One of their major achievements was to show the mathematical compatibility of quantum theory, special relativity, and interaction. They did this by proving the existence of the first examples of non-linear, relativistic quantum fields with non-trivial scattering. Jaffe's work in several related fields of mathematics and physics is well-known, including contributions to gauge theory and to non-commutative geometry.
For several years Jaffe was president of the International Association of Mathematical Physics
International Association of Mathematical Physics
The International Association of Mathematical Physics was founded in 1976 to promote research in mathematical physics. It brings together research mathematicians and theoretical physicists, including students. The association's ordinary members are individual researchers, although associate...
, and later of the American Mathematical Society
American Mathematical Society
The American Mathematical Society is an association of professional mathematicians dedicated to the interests of mathematical research and scholarship, which it does with various publications and conferences as well as annual monetary awards and prizes to mathematicians.The society is one of the...
. He chaired the Council of Scientific Society Presidents.
Jaffe conceived the idea of the Clay Mathematics Institute
Clay Mathematics Institute
The Clay Mathematics Institute is a private, non-profit foundation, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Institute is dedicated to increasing and disseminating mathematical knowledge. It gives out various awards and sponsorships to promising mathematicians. The institute was founded in 1998...
and its programs, including the employment of research fellows and the Millennium Prizes in mathematics. The latter immediately captured public imagination worldwide. He served as a founding Member, a founding member of the Board, and the founding President of that organization.
Arthur Jaffe began as chief editor of Communications in Mathematical Physics
Communications in Mathematical Physics
Communications in Mathematical Physics is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by Springer. The journal publishes papers in all fields of mathematical physics, but focuses particularly in Analysis related to condensed matter physics, statistical mechanics and quantum field theory, and in...
in 1979 and served for 21 years until 2001, when he was succeeded by Michael Aizenman
Michael Aizenman
Michael Aizenman is a mathematician and a physicist at Princeton University working in the fields of mathematical physics, statistical mechanics, functional analysis and probability theory....
.
Jaffe has associations with several other notable organizations, including his present role as Chair of the Board of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
The Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies Dublin, Ireland was established in 1940 by the Taoiseach of the time, Éamon de Valera under the . The Institute consists of 3 schools: The , the and the . The directors of these schools are currently Professor Werner Nahm, Professor Luke Drury and...
, School of Theoretical Physics.
Currently Jaffe teaches Mathematical Physics and pursues research at Harvard University.