Stockholm: Francis Halzen won the Nobel Prize in Physics on Tuesday for his contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and his discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced.
The academy announced the award in Stockholm, recognising Halzen’s work in detecting and studying high-energy neutrinos originating from cosmic sources.
The Nobel Prize money this year is 12 million Swedish kronor (about USD 1.2 million). The prize can be awarded to an individual, a small group of laureates or an organisation.
The announcements of this year’s Nobel Prizes began on Monday, with three scientists receiving the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their work that led to a tool using light to help unravel how the brain works.
Last year, three scientists won the Nobel Prize in Physics for research into the strange behaviour of subatomic particles and quantum tunnelling. Their work enabled ultra-sensitive measurements used in MRI machines and contributed to advances in technologies such as cellphones and faster computers.
The Nobel announcements continue on Wednesday with the Chemistry Prize, followed by the Literature Prize on Thursday.
The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on Friday, while the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences will be announced on Monday.
