Mermin

Mermin is a surname with notable associations in science, particularly in physics. The best-known figure is N. David Mermin, an American theoretical physicist and professor emeritus at Cornell University. His research spans quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and condensed matter physics.

Mermin is widely recognized for foundational work in quantum theory. With Herbert Wagner, he formulated the Mermin–Wagner theorem in 1966, which shows that continuous symmetries cannot be spontaneously broken at finite temperature in one- or two-dimensional systems with short-range interactions. He also introduced a family of multipartite Bell inequalities, commonly referred to as the Mermin inequalities, which are used to study quantum nonlocality in systems with multiple particles.

Beyond research, Mermin has contributed to science communication and education, writing for both specialized and general audiences. His work includes textbooks and popular publications aimed at explaining quantum mechanics and related topics to a broader readership.