Alexei Kitaev
Alexei Kitaev is a theoretical physicist whose research includes phase estimation and fault-tolerant quantum computation. He studied in Russia, worked at the Landau Institute and Microsoft Research, and became a Caltech professor in 2002. His quantum-computation work earned a MacArthur Fellowship in 2008, the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics in 2012, and the Dirac Medal in 2015; the National Academy of Sciences elected him in 2021. He is Caltech's Ronald and Maxine Linde Professor of Theoretical Physics and Mathematics. A 2026 Frontiers of Science Award in Physics recognized his work on the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev model.
- Works
- 119
- Citations
- 35,027
- h-index
- 52
Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 15 October 2026.
Timeline
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1986–1989
Graduate study in Russia
He earns an M.S. from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology in 1986 and a Ph.D. from the Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics in 1989.
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1989–2002
Landau, Microsoft and Caltech
From 1989 to 1998, he works as a research associate at the Landau Institute. He joins Caltech as a visiting associate in 1998, works at Microsoft Research from 1999 to 2001, and becomes a professor there in 2002.
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2008
Phase estimation and a fellowship
He receives a MacArthur Fellowship in 2008. His phase-estimation approach generalizes quantum computation beyond factoring numbers.
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2012
A Breakthrough Prize
He receives the 2012 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics for his proposal for robust quantum memories and fault-tolerant computation using topological phases, anyons, and Majorana modes.
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2015
The Dirac Medal
He shares the 2015 Dirac Medal with Gregory W. Moore and Nicholas Read for work on quasiparticle statistics and its applications to quantum computation.
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2021
National Academy election
The National Academy of Sciences elects him in 2021.
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2026
A Frontiers of Science Award
He receives the 2026 Frontiers of Science Award in Physics for work on the soft mode in the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev model and its gravity dual.
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Since 2013
Caltech's Linde professorship
In 2026, he is Caltech's Ronald and Maxine Linde Professor of Theoretical Physics and Mathematics.
Sources and credits
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- Alexei Kitaev - MacArthur Foundation
- Alexei Kitaev - Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
- MacArthur Foundation Names Alexei Kitaev Latest Caltech "Genius"
- Alexei Kitaev – 2012 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics
- Dirac Medallists 2015 | ICTP
- Three Faculty Elected to the National Academy of Sciences
- Faculty | Caltech Academic Catalog