Deepak Dhar

Deepak Dhar is a theoretical physicist who works in statistical physics, the study of how large collections of particles behave. He was named for the Padma Bhushan in 2023 in the field of science and engineering, from Maharashtra ^[1].

Education and career

Dhar was born on 30 October 1951 ^[2]. He took a BSc from the University of Allahabad in 1970, an MSc in physics from IIT Kanpur in 1972, and a PhD from the California Institute of Technology in 1978 ^[2]. He then joined the theoretical physics department of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai, where he stayed until he retired in 2016 ^[2]. At the time of the award he was distinguished emeritus professor at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune ^[2].

Exact answers to hard problems

He is best known for finding the exact solution of the abelian sandpile model, a simple model of how systems can organise themselves into a critical state, as in avalanches ^[2]. He also solved exactly the problem of counting directed site animals, a puzzle in lattice statistics, and did important work on slow relaxation in disordered materials and on fractals ^[2].

Working with many students and collaborators, he has helped build a strong statistical physics community in India, and he has written for schoolchildren and run training schools for college teachers ^[2].

Honours

His awards include the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in physics in 1991 and the Boltzmann Medal in 2022 ^[2]. He is a fellow of India’s three main science academies and of the World Academy of Sciences ^[2].