Francis Halzen wins Nobel Prize in Physics for IceCube neutrino research

Francis Halzen has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the award in Stockholm on Tuesday.

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Research at the South Pole

Halzen, who was born in Belgium, is affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the United States. He is 82 years old. His research into capturing neutrinos at the South Pole dates back to the 1980s.

The IceCube Neutrino Observatory is located at the South Pole in Antarctica. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is the observatory’s lead institution.

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Contribution to a new kind of astronomy

Mark Pearce, chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics, said Halzen had led an international team of researchers and engineers who provided a “fantastic instrument”. Pearce said Halzen’s tenacity and scientific vision had paved the way for a new kind of astronomy.

Halzen speaks to committee from Italy

Halzen spoke to the committee by phone from Italy. Reacting to the award, he said it was a great surprise and that he had not expected it.

Prize amount

The prize money is 12 million Swedish kronor, described as about $1.2 million.