Lev Landau (1908-1968)

Lev Davidovich Landau was one of the most influential theoretical physics pioneers of the 20th century, whose work spanned nearly every area of theoretical physics and created frameworks still used today.

Scientific Contributions

Fundamental Theories

• Developed quantum mechanics theory of superfluidity
• Created the theory of Fermi liquid behavior in liquid helium-3
• Established the Landau damping phenomenon in plasma physics
• Introduced the concept of the density matrix in quantum mechanics

The Landau School

Landau created a distinctive approach to theoretical physics education through his famous "theoretical minimum" - a rigorous set of examinations that students had to pass to study under him. This system produced many leading physicists and established the Moscow school of theoretical physics.

Major Works

The Landau and Lifshitz series of physics textbooks, written with his student Evgeny Lifshitz, remains one of the most comprehensive treatments of theoretical physics. Key volumes include:

• Mechanics
• Quantum Mechanics
• Statistical Physics
• Field Theory

Scientific Impact

Awards and Recognition

• Received the Nobel Prize in Physics (1962) for his theories of condensed matter and liquid helium
• Awarded the Fritz London Award (1960)
• Received three Stalin Prize awards

Legacy

The impact of Landau's work continues through:

• The Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics
• The Landau levels concept in quantum mechanics
• Landau-Ginzburg theory of superconductivity

Personal Life and Challenges

Landau survived both:

• Political persecution during the Stalin era
• A severe car accident in 1962 that ended his active scientific work

He was known for his theoretical physics ranking system of physicists, placing himself at 2.5 on a logarithmic scale where Einstein was 0.

Teaching and Methodology

Landau developed a unique approach to physics education:

• Emphasis on order of magnitude estimates
• Focus on dimensional analysis
• Integration of mathematical and physical intuition
• Systematic organization of knowledge

His teaching methods continue to influence physics education worldwide.

Cultural Impact

Landau's personality and methods have become legendary in physics circles, inspiring:

• Numerous scientific biography works
• The nickname "Dau" among colleagues
• Stories about his unique approach to problem solving
• A model for theoretical physics education

His systematic approach to physics and demanding standards helped establish the Soviet school of theoretical physics as a major force in 20th-century science.