Daniel E. Prober

Daniel E. Prober is a Professor of Applied Physics at Yale University, with additional appointments in Electrical Engineering and Physics. He holds positions as Director of Undergraduate Studies and serves on the Graduate Admissions Committee and Energy Studies Program Advisory Committee. His research focuses on experimental solid-state physics, superconductivity, quantum transport, and nanostructure fabrication techniques. He leads the Prober Lab, which develops superconducting photon detectors for frequencies ranging from visible to far-infrared light.

Dr. Prober earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University. His work includes pioneering studies on graphene thermal photon detectors, terahertz detection mechanisms in carbon nanotubes, and tunable superconducting nanoinductors. His research has been supported by grants from NSF, NASA, and IBM.

• Education: Ph.D., Harvard University
• Affiliations: Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science, Department of Physics, NASA-JPL collaborations

His research interests span superconducting quantum detectors, coherent quantum transport, and energy loss dynamics in nanomaterials. Recent projects include energy-resolved single-photon detection at terahertz frequencies and nanobolometer development for astronomical applications.

• Awards: IEEE Lifetime Achievement Award (2018), Yale Science & Engineering Award (2019), multiple IBM Faculty Awards, NASA Technical Excellence Awards (1996–1997)

Dr. Prober advises graduate students in experimental condensed matter physics and collaborates with industry and academic partners, including Dr. Boris Karasik (NASA-JPL) and Prof. Charles Schmuttenmaer (Yale Chemistry). His lab’s innovations in superconducting devices have advanced applications in astronomy, quantum computing, and high-frequency electronics.