Matthew Fisher

Matthew Fisher is a Professor of Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), with affiliations at the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics and Microsoft’s Station Q. His research focuses on the intersection of many-body theory, quantum information, and condensed matter physics, particularly non-equilibrium quantum dynamics and topological phases.

• Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1986)
• UCSB faculty since 1993 (on leave at Microsoft Station Q since 2007)
• Caltech faculty (2009-2010)

His work explores exotic quantum phases like spin liquids, non-Fermi liquids, and topological order, with applications to superconductivity and biochemical systems. He has developed field theories for gapless spin liquids and Bose-metal phases, and pioneered research on quantum effects in lithium isotope interactions.

Recent publications analyze measurement-induced phase transitions, quantum error correction, and cross-entropy benchmarking in superconducting circuits. His teaching includes graduate quantum mechanics and condensed matter physics courses.

• Alan T. Waterman Award (1995)
• National Academy of Sciences Award (1997)
• Oliver E. Buckley Prize (2015)
• Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2003)
• Member, National Academy of Sciences (2012)