Why Quantum Research Matters: From Curiosity to Real-World Impact
26 May, 2026 at Homi Bhabha Auditorium, Mumbai
On the occasion of the opening of the Lodha Theoretical Physics Institute and the launch of the 10th edition of the international workshop on Emergent Phenomena in Quantum Hall Systems, Prof. Klaus von Klitzing described how the discovery of the "quantum Hall effect" emerged from basic, curiosity-driven research into the behavior of electrons in extreme conditions, and how this unexpected finding eventually revolutionized the international system of measurement standards.
He recounted some of the historical circumstances surrounding the discovery and explained, in non-technical terms, the remarkable precision and universality of the quantum Hall effect, and how it ultimately revealed deep connections between microscopic quantum physics, fundamental constants of nature, and the macroscopic world of measurements used in science and technology. The quantum Hall effect has also opened entirely new directions in condensed matter physics, inspiring the modern field of topological quantum matter and influencing ongoing efforts toward future quantum technologies.
The public lecture brought together over 900 students, researchers, educators, and members of the general public. Prof. Klaus von Klitzing was joined by Bertrand Halperin and Sankar Das Sarma for an engaging Q&A session, during which school students and members of the audience posed a wide range of questions, enriching the discussion with diverse perspectives.
The lecture reflected a broader commitment to fostering scientific dialogue and public engagement with research. By encouraging inquiry and deeper understanding, such initiatives help cultivate a culture of curiosity and critical thinking that underpins scientific advancement.
KLAUS VON KLITZING
DIRECTOR EMERITUS, MAX PLANCK INSTITUTE FOR SOLID STATE RESEARCH,
RECIPIENT OF THE NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICS (1985)
Director Emeritus of the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research in Stuttgart, Germany. Awarded the 1985 Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery of the integer quantum Hall effect, a breakthrough that transformed our understanding of quantum matter and launched the modern field of topological phases of matter. One of only two living scientists to have a fundamental constant named after them: the von Klitzing constant, RK. Recipient of numerous awards, including 22 honorary doctorates; foreign member of the US National Academy of Sciences, the Royal Society, and many other leading academies worldwide.
Q&A with a Panel of Eminent Physicists
