Francis Halzen awarded physics Nobel for discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin
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The Nobel Prize in Physics was on Tuesday awarded to Belgian physicist Francis Halzen for the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin and his contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory.
Halzen, 82, is a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the United States.
“His vision and scientific leadership have been fundamental for the IceCube Neutrino Observatory – a cubic kilometre of ice that is equipped with light sensors,” the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said.
The observatory is near the South Pole in Antarctica. Using the observatory, researchers “can capture neutrinos from extremely energy-rich processes in the distant universe”, the academy added.
Halzen first presented his vision for capturing neutrinos at the South Pole in 1988. When a neutrino collides with an atomic nucleus, it produces a flash of light that can be tracked by sensors in the glacial ice.
He will receive a prize amount of 12 million Swedish krona, or Rs 11.5 crore.
On Monday, the Nobel Prize in medicine was jointly awarded to three scientists – Peter Hegemann, Georg Nagel and Karl Deisseroth – for their research on brain activity.
The Nobel Prize in chemistry will be announced on Wednesday, literature on Thursday and for peace on Friday. The prize in economics will be announced on October 12.
Written by Nachiket Deuskar. Edited by...