Theodore Holstein

Theodore Holstein (18 September 1915– 8. May 1985) was an American theoretical physicist, specialized in solid-state physics and atomic physics.

With Henry Primakoff in 1940 he introduced the Holstein-Primakoff transformation, of importantance for the theory of spin waves. Other significant papers included the polaron (introduction of the small polaron), infrared absorption of metals, a microscopic theory of the collision drag phenomenon by Brian Pippard, Bloch electrons in magnetic fields (Hall effect) and his review on the transport properties in an electron-phonon gas. He corrected the Förster-Dexter theory of photoinduced energy transfer between molecules and found new mechanisms for energy transfer in disordered systems. He is also known for introducing the Holstein–Herring method.