Simon Memorial Prize


The Simon Memorial Prize is an award that honors 'distinguished work in experimental or theoretical low temperature physics'. The prize is awarded by the Institute of Physics and is presented at the International Conference on Low Temperature Physics, which takes place every three years. The prize is named after Francis Simon, who contributed eminently to the field of low-temperature physics. The first prize was awarded in 1959 to Heinz London.
Not to be confused with the Robert Simon Memorial Prize awarded for dissertations from the Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics of Columbia University.

Winners

The following have won this prize:
YearRecipientCitation
2025Ady SternFor original and influential theoretical work on the quantum Hall effect, quantum statistics of emerging quasi-particles, topological order and decoherence in condensed matter systems at low temperatures.
2020Jukka PekolaFor fundamental achievements in quantum thermodynamics, metrology and cryogenics based on nanoscale electronic devices.
2017For pioneering transport measurements at high magnetic fields and low temperature in heavy-fermion and cuprate superconductors.
2014For fundamental contributions to the theory of quantum transport processes in superfluid 3He, heavy fermion superconductors and disordered metals.
2011Sergey V. Iordanski"For their calculations and predictions of the fundamental forces acting on quantised vortices in superfluids, superconductors and other ordered systems: The Iordanskii force and the Kopnin force"
2011Nikolai B. Kopnin"For their calculations and predictions of the fundamental forces acting on quantised vortices in superfluids, superconductors and other ordered systems: The Iordanskii force and the Kopnin force"
2008Yasunobu Nakamura"For their pioneering demonstration of quantum coherent behaviour in a macroscopic object and for their subsequent explorations of quantum coherent physics in a series of novel superconducting devices."
2008Jaw-Shen Tsai"For their pioneering demonstration of quantum coherent behaviour in a macroscopic object and for their subsequent explorations of quantum coherent physics in a series of novel superconducting devices."
2004Grigory Volovik"for his pioneering research on the effects of symmetry in superfluids and superconductors and the extension of these ideas to quantum field theory, cosmology, quantum gravity and particle physics."
2001
1998George R. PickettIn recognition of their outstanding contributions to the field of low temperature physics.
1998Anthony M. GuénaultIn recognition of their outstanding contributions to the field of low temperature physics.
1995Alexander F. Andreev
1992Olivier Avenel
1992Eric Varoquaux
1989Richard A. Webb
1986in recognition of his outstanding experimental contributions to our understanding of the low temperature properties of metals.
1983David Olaf Edwardsfor his outstanding research on liquid and solid helium and their surfaces.
1981Anthony James Leggettfor his outstanding contribution to the theory of superfluid He3.
1976David M. Leefor their discovery in 1972 of the new low temperature phases of liquid helium-3.
1976Douglas D. Osherofffor their discovery in 1972 of the new low temperature phases of liquid helium-3.
1976Robert C. Richardsonfor their discovery in 1972 of the new low temperature phases of liquid helium-3.
1973Peter Kapitzafor distinguished work in the field of low-temperature physics.
1970Walther Meissnerfor his work in many areas of low temperature physics and technology and, in particular, in the field of superconductivity.
1968Kurt Alfred Georg Mendelssohnin recognition of distinguished work in superconductivity and the properties of liquid helium.
1965John Charles Wheatleyin recognition of his outstanding work on the properties of liquid helium-3 at very low temperatures.
1963Henry Edgar Hallfor their work on liquid helium II
1963William Frank Vinenfor their work on liquid helium II
1961Ilya Lifshitzfor his many contributions to the understanding of the structure of the Fermi surface in metals and for his work on liquid helium.
1959Heinz London