A book honoring Alfonso Baldereschi

A pioneer in condensed matter physics, Alfonso Baldereschi’s theoretical insights have shaped decades of research and inspired generations of scientists worldwide. Baldereschi, who passed away in 2024, was widely recognized for his seminal contributions to condensed matter theory and electronic-structure calculations.

Born in Legnano, Italy, in 1946, Baldereschi trained as a physicist at the University of Milan and launched a scientific career that would take him across Europe and the United States. He spent time in the US (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, then Bell Labs) and joined EPFL in 1973, where he became a founding figure in the Department of Physics.

Baldereschi’s research helped lay the foundations for much of modern materials science, especially in the fields of semiconductors, magnetism, and superconductivity. He developed the so-called “Baldereschi point”—a method for simplifying calculations of electronic properties in crystals that has become a standard tool in the field. Over the decades, he published hundreds of influential papers, collaborated with top labs worldwide, and was an active participant in the international physics community, serving on editorial boards and scientific committees.

But beyond the equations and theorems, Baldereschi is remembered as a generous mentor and a true gentleman—modest, intellectually curious, and supportive of young researchers. Many colleagues recall his sense of humor, his wide-ranging curiosity, and his commitment to fostering scientific exchange across borders.

The new book, simply titled “Alfonso Baldereschi : son héritage scientifique et humain,” is edited by three EPFL physicists: Wanda Andreoni, Alfredo Pasquarello, and Andrea Testa. It includes a collection of Baldereschi's research papers, but also contains scientific reflections, personal tributes, and original articles contributed by leading physicists, many of whom were directly influenced by Baldereschi’s teaching and research.

Wanda Andreoni recalls the emotional beginnings of the project: “I had just begun sketching the outline of a tribute volume for Alfonso’s 80th birthday when the terrible news arrived: Alfonso had left us. What had begun as a gesture of celebration could no longer reach him. But the need to speak, to gather, to remember became all the more urgent. A kind of book still seemed the truest way to catch something of him.”

She adds: “In the confusion and sorrow of those days, I called Alfredo [Pasquarello]. He and Andrea [Testa] had already been thinking of organizing a meeting in Alfonso’s honor but they embraced at once the idea of something more lasting. The three of us began to meet regularly on Zoom, and from many conversations emerged a shared conviction: a book of voices and memories, shaped around the traces he left in all of us, complemented with a selection of his original articles.”

Andrea Testa reflects on Baldereschi’s influence: “As for how each of us met Alfonso—of course, we all have our own story. But going into too much detail would shift the spotlight onto us, rather than keeping it on Alfonso. What we can say is this: EPFL has been at the heart of the moments we shared with him. Indeed, each of us met Alfonso at different times and independently, but always at the beginning of our careers. That fact alone already reflects Alfonso’s approach as a teacher, supervisor, and mentor—something this book brings clearly to light.”

The book brings together contributions from an international cast of scientists. Each chapter reflects on a different aspect of Baldereschi’s work—whether advancing theoretical models, developing new computational tools, or training the next generation of physicists. The mix of personal reminiscences and technical depth paints a vivid portrait of a life devoted to scientific discovery.

“It's not so much the impact of the book itself, but rather the impact of Alfonso — it's truly remarkable to see that an entire community has come together around this project,” says Alfredo Pasquarello. “So many people agreed to contribute something, and now they find themselves realizing that there's a whole network of individuals who were influenced by Alfonso. These are bonds built over years of work and teaching. Perhaps, beyond its significance for his family members and the tribute it pays to Alfonso as a person, this is what the book truly brings to light.”

The book is both a scientific resource and a heartfelt tribute. By making it freely available, the EPFL editors invite the world to engage with Baldereschi’s legacy, and perhaps to draw inspiration for the next big breakthrough.

Download the book here