Robert Laughlin is an American physicist known for his work in condensed matter physics. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1998 for his contributions to the understanding of fractional quantum Hall effect, a phenomenon observed in two-dimensional electron systems at low temperatures and strong magnetic fields. Born on November 1, 1931, Laughlin has held academic positions at various institutions, including Stanford University. His research has significantly advanced the field of theoretical physics, particularly in understanding complex systems and emergent phenomena.