Carlo Rovelli

Carlo Rovelli is an Italian theoretical physicist and author of several books on the nature of reality and quantum gravity. He is also known for popularizing the concept of “loop quantum gravity” and has written extensively on the subjects of space-time and thermodynamics. His latest book Seven Brief Lessons on Physics is a New York Times bestseller.

Rovelli was born in 1956, in Verona, Italy. He attended the University of Padua, where he graduated with a degree in theoretical physics and a doctorate in nuclear physics. After graduating, he worked as a research assistant at the University of Pavia in Italy, and later at the University of Pittsburgh in the United States. He began researching theories of quantum gravity, or the study of the effects of the quantum field on gravity.

Rovelli's work focussed on the application of loop quantum gravity (LQG) to explain the nature of space and time. In this field, Rovelli was recognised as being at the forefront. He proposed a structure known as the 'spin networks' which describes the structure of space-time as a series of intricate knots, or spins. He named this the “Ashtekar-Rovelli-Smolin formalism” after himself and two other physicists - Abhay Ashtekar and Lee Smolin.

Rovelli was also working on understanding the concept of “thermodynamics”, the study of the nature of heat and energy. He proposed a “thermodynamic arrow of time” which explained the direction of time through its relation to entropy. He also proposed a new concept of thermodynamics, which was named “alpha-parameter thermodynamics” after Rovelli's name for it.

Rovelli began writing books soon after publishing his papers in various scientific journals. His first book, The First Four Seconds, was published in 1993 and focussed on the forces of nature, specifically the four fundamental forces that govern the universe. His next book, Six Not-So-Easy Pieces, set out to explore the links between thermodynamics, quantum mechanics and mathematical logic. His third book, Réflexions sur la Physique was translated as Reality is Not What It Seems in English. In this book, Rovelli wrote about the connections between physics, mathematics and philosophy.

Rovelli's most famous book, Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, was published in 2014. This book consists of seven chapters, each of which explains a concept from modern physics in a way that is simple and accessible to the lay reader. The topics covered in the book range from quantum theory to classical mechanics and relativity. The book has since become a New York Times bestseller and has been translated into over thirty languages.

Rovelli has also been hugely influential in popularising the field of quantum gravity. His work has been recognised by leading universities around the world and he has been awarded a number of prizes, including the prestigious Premio Galileo Galilei in 2018. He also has a number of honorary degrees and is a regular contributor to the Lancet and the Indian science magazine Vigyan Prasar.

All in all, Carlo Rovelli has had a lasting impact on the fields of physics and mathematics and is today considered to be one of the world's most influential physicists. His books have been read by millions and he has significantly impacted the popular perception of science and its relationship with philosophy. He continues to publish books and papers and to inspire the public with his accessible and engaging writing.