Halzen Receives Sole Award After 34 Years

They were recognized for their contributions to the discovery of light-responsive ion channels and the development of optogenetics. Nobel Prizes tend to be awarded for research that changes the way we view nature or lays the foundation for new technologies.

The optical lattice clock was also considered a strong candidate for the Nobel Prize in Physics. This clock measures time by trapping atoms in a lattice created by laser light and counting the rapid oscillations emitted when the atoms transition between specific energy states.

Optical lattice clocks have the potential to replace the current standard for defining one second, which is based on measuring the fine structure energy levels of cesium atoms.

Twistronics, pioneered by Professor Allan MacDonald and others, involves twisting two layers of graphene at a specific angle to induce new physical properties such as superconductivity. In graphene twisted at such a specific angle, phenomena like superconductivity are observed.

Professor Allan MacDonald, a leading figure in solid-state physics, is considered a pioneer in this field.

The youngest laureate in history was Lawrence Bragg, who received the Nobel Prize in Physics at age 25, and the oldest laureate was Arthur Ashkin, who received it at age 96.

Achievements in high-energy astrophysics using IceCube neutrinos were selected for this year's award.

This award recognizes the research achievements related to IceCube neutrinos, making significant discoveries in the field of high-energy astrophysics.

Professor Francis Halzen of the University of Wisconsin-Madison was honored with the sole 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Professor Halzen made crucial contributions to the construction of the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos. This sole award is the first in 34 years since 1992.

Neutrinos, with almost no charge and rarely interacting with other matter, travel undisturbed through deep space after being formed in celestial bodies like stars and galaxies, thus retaining pristine information about the early universe.

However, due to these characteristics, neutrinos are very difficult to observe, leaving almost no trace even when passing through Earth. Therefore, the IceCube detector utilizes a network of optical sensors installed within a cubic kilometer of Antarctic ice.

The principle is to detect these mysterious particles by tracking Cherenkov light emitted when neutrinos rarely interact with the ice.

This research focuses on 'ultra-high-energy neutrinos,' distinct from the lower-energy neutrinos coming from the Sun or supernovae. This achievement involves detecting particles generated in extreme cosmic systems that accelerate particles, such as black holes and neutron stars.

Professor Francis Halzen's award not only recognizes his individual merit but also represents the collaborative achievement of the IceCube international research team, through which humanity has gained important clues to understanding the universe's most powerful phenomena and origins.