Lev D. Landau and Lyman Spitzer Jr. Award for Outstanding Contributions to Plasma Physics

The Award is given to an individual or group of researchers for outstanding theoretical, experimental or technical contribution(s) in plasma physics and for advancing the collaboration and unity between Europe and the United States of America by joint research or research that advances knowledge which benefits the two communities in a unique way. The award may be given to a team or collaboration of up to four persons affiliated with either European or United States institutions. The Award consists of a $4000 honorarium, a certificate citing the contribution, and a registration fee waiver to attend the meeting at which the award is to be presented. The person or team receiving the award will be offered an invited talk at the forthcoming annual conference of APS-DPP (usually early November) or EPS-DPP (usually end of June, or first week of July), depending on the affiliation of the recipient(s).

Establishment & Support

The American Physical Society (APS) and the European Physical Society (EPS), through their respective Plasma Physics Divisions, will each contribute $2000 per prize. 

Landau-Spitzer Statues

Rules & Eligibility

Self-nominations are not accepted. Members of the APS Division of Plasma Physics Executive Committee or members of the EPS Plasma Physics Division Board are not eligible. 

Through their respective Plasma Physics Divisions, will each contribute $2000 per prize.

Nomination & Selection Process

Deadline: Monday, April 1, 2024

To start a new or update a continuing nomination, please see the Prize & Award Nomination Guidelines.

2024 Selection Committee Members: Vladimir Tikhonchuk (Chair), John Sarff (Vice-Chair), Sylvie Jaquemot, Richard Dendy, Lorin Matthews, Eric Esarey

The membership of APS is diverse and global, and the nominees and recipients of APS Honors should reflect that diversity so that all are recognized for their impact on our community. Nominations of members belonging to groups traditionally underrepresented in physics, such as women, LGBT+ scientists, scientists who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), disabled scientists, scientists from institutions with limited resources, and scientists from outside the United States, are especially encouraged.

Nominees for and holders of APS Honors (prizes, awards, and fellowship) and official leadership positions are expected to meet standards of professional conduct and integrity as described in the APS Ethics Guidelines. Violations of these standards may disqualify people from consideration or lead to revocation of honors or removal from office.

2022 Recipients

Christopher Chen, Queen Mary University London

Gregory Howes, University of Iowa

Kristopher Klein, University of Arizona

Past Recipients

2020: Riccardo Betti
          Alexis Casner
          Xavier Ribeyre
          Wolfgang Theobald

2018: Yevgen Kazakov
          Jozef Ongena
          John C. Wright
          Stephen J. Wukitch

2016: John W. Berkery
          Yueqiang Liu
          Holger Reimerdes
          Steven Anthony Sabbagh

2014: Manuel Garcia-Munoz
          Benedikt Geiger
          David Pace
          Michael Van Zeeland

2012: Sergei Anisimov