Robert Jaffe (physicist)

Robert Jaffe is an American theoretical physicist known for his work in quantum field theory, particle physics, and nuclear physics. He is a professor of physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Jaffe received his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1972. His research has focused on a variety of topics, including:

• The MIT Bag Model: Jaffe was a key contributor to the development of the MIT Bag Model, a phenomenological model of hadrons that treats them as containing quarks and gluons confined within a "bag" of space. This model provided an early understanding of hadron structure and properties.
• Exotic Hadrons: He has extensively studied the possibility and properties of exotic hadrons, which are particles composed of more than three quarks (baryons) or a quark and an antiquark (mesons). These include tetraquarks (four quarks) and pentaquarks (five quarks).
• Casimir Effect: Jaffe has made significant contributions to the theoretical understanding of the Casimir effect, a quantum mechanical force arising from fluctuations in the electromagnetic field in confined spaces. He has worked to clarify its interpretation and connection to the zero-point energy of the vacuum.
• Neutrino Physics: He has also worked on aspects of neutrino physics, including neutrino oscillations and the search for sterile neutrinos.

Jaffe is a Fellow of the American Physical Society. He has written numerous research articles and textbooks, including introductory texts on quantum physics. He is also known for his engaging teaching style and contributions to physics education.