Robert Coleman Richardson

Robert Coleman Richardson was an influential American physicist known for his contributions to low-temperature physics, particularly in the study of superfluidity. He helped uncover the behavior of helium at extremely low temperatures, revealing that at a certain point, helium can flow without viscosity—meaning it can move without losing energy. This phenomenon has profound implications for both theoretical physics and practical applications. Richardson's work advanced our understanding of quantum mechanics and the behavior of matter under extreme conditions, earning him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1996. His legacy continues to inspire research in condensed matter physics.