Three Scientists Awarded Nobel Prize in Physics for Brief Yet Groundbreaking View of Rapidly Spinning Electrons

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On Tuesday, a Nobel Prize in physics was awarded to three researchers for providing an unprecedented, albeit fleeting, insight into the exceedingly rapid realm of spinning electrons. This area of study holds promise for advancements in electronics and medical diagnostics.

The distinguished recipients of the award are Anne L’Huillier, a French-Swedish physicist; Pierre Agostini, a French scientist; and Hungarian-born Ferenc Krausz. Their pioneering work focuses on electrons, subatomic particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom and play a critical role in multiple domains, including chemistry, physics, biological systems, and technology.

Electrons have hitherto eluded human efforts at isolation due to their incredibly high speeds. However, the scientists have now captured a “blurry” snapshot of these particles by observing them in the minutest fraction of a second conceivable, thus paving the way for new scientific avenues.

Mats Larsson, a member of the Nobel Committee, emphasized the significance of understanding and controlling electrons, stating, “Gaining such control and understanding constitutes a major leap forward.”

Further Information on the 2023 Nobel Prize

Other notable Nobel Prize recipients include Karikó and Weissman, who were honored in medicine for enabling the development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.

Anne L’Huillier, affiliated with Lund University in Sweden, is the fifth female physicist to be honored with a Nobel Prize. She encouraged women interested in the field, stating during an interview with The Big Big News, “If you possess even a modicum of passion for challenges like this, then pursue it.”

What Led to the Nobel-Worthy Discovery?

Employing increasingly faster laser pulses, the scientists were able to capture atomic activity that occurs within an attosecond, or one quintillionth of a second. This rapidity is analogous to how photographers use high-speed shutter technology to photograph rapidly moving subjects, like a hummingbird in mid-flight.

To provide perspective on the duration of an attosecond, Eva Olsson, chair of the Nobel Committee, suggested imagining one second—the time it takes for a heart to beat—divided by 1,000 six times over. Mark Pearce, another Nobel Committee member, added that the number of attoseconds in a single second is equivalent to the number of seconds that have elapsed since the Big Bang approximately 13.8 billion years ago.

Why Electrons Are Crucial

Electrons are essential in facilitating chemical bonds between atoms, as they are the adhesive that enables the formation of molecules. These molecules, in turn, are the fundamental building blocks of all living organisms. Ferenc Krausz underscored their ubiquity in both our biological and technological existence during a press conference.

The current focus of this area of science is foundational, aimed at enhancing our understanding of the universe. However, there are aspirations for its future practical applications in electronics, disease diagnostics, and elementary chemistry.

L’Huillier highlighted the importance of foundational science, stating that it took three decades of her work before the real-world applications of her research began to emerge.

Reactions from the Laureates

Upon receiving the news of her win, L’Huillier was in the midst of lecturing to undergraduates at Lund University. She returned to her teaching duties even after learning of her prestigious accolade, emphasizing her commitment to education.

Pierre Agostini, an emeritus professor at Ohio State University, was in Paris at the time of the announcement and was initially unreachable by the Nobel Committee.

Ferenc Krausz, affiliated with the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, expressed his astonishment and elation at receiving the prize. Both Krausz and L’Huillier had previously won the esteemed Wolf prize in physics for their contributions, shared with Paul Corkum of the University of Ottawa.

The Nobel Prizes come with a cash reward of 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately $1 million), sourced from a bequest by the prize’s founder, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel.

The announcement of the physics prize followed the previous day’s revelation that two scientists had received the Nobel Prize in medicine for work that enabled the production of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.

The news was reported by journalists from various international locations, including Washington, Paris, The Hague, Copenhagen, and Berlin. For further information on the Nobel Prizes, visit the Big Big News website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Nobel Prize in Physics

More about Nobel Prize in Physics

• Nobel Prize Official Website
• Ultrafast Laser Pulses and Attoseconds
• Why Electrons Matter
• Women in Physics
• Karikó and Weissman Win Nobel Prize in Medicine
• Advancements in Electronics
• Medical Diagnostics Technology
• Basic Chemistry and Electrons
• History of the Nobel Prize
• Alfred Nobel and His Legacy