Francis Halzen wins Nobel Prize in physics for work on high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin

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.

Born in Belgium, the 82-year-old scientist is affiliated with the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the US.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the award in Stockholm.

The prize money this year is 12 million Swedish kronor (about $1.2 million), whether awarded to an individual, a small group of laureates or an organisation.

Last year, three scientists won the Nobel Prize in Physics for research on the strange behaviour of subatomic particles called quantum tunnelling that enabled the ultra-sensitive measurements achieved by MRI machines and laid the groundwork for better mobile phones and faster computers.

The announcements of this year's prizes began on Monday with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine being awarded to three scientists whose work led to a tool that uses light to help unravel how the brain works.

This week's awards continue on Wednesday with the chemistry prize and on Thursday with the literature prize. After Friday's peace prize is awarded, the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences will be announced on Monday.

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