The physicists won the physics award for looking at electrons in atoms
The Pulitzer Prize: Physics, Literature, Economics and the Season: From July 22 to Oct. 9, 2017 – A Memorandum from the Nobel Foundation
Pierre Agostini of The Ohio State University in the U.S.; Ferenc Krausz of the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in Germany; and Anne L’Huillier of Lund University in Sweden won the award.
On Tuesday, the physics prize went to French-Swedish physicist Anne L’Huillier, French scientist Pierre Agostini and Hungarian-born Ferenc Krausz for producing the first split-second glimpse into the superfast world of spinning electrons.
The Nobel Foundation raised the prize money by 10% this year to 11 million kronor (about $1 million). During the award ceremony in December, winners receive an 18-carat gold medal and a diplomas, as well as money and a gold medal.
The physics prize was won by three scientists who proved that tiny particles could still communicate even when they are not in contact. It was once doubted but is now being explored for real world applications.
The prize in physics came a day after the two Americans that won the medicine prize for their work found out they’d won the prize for physics.
The chemistry prize means that the season is halfway done. The prizes in literature, peace and economics follow, with one announcement every weekday until Oct. 9.
Carolyn R.Bertozzi and K. Barry Sharpless were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for chemistry last year for their discovery of how to snap atoms together to explore cells, map DNA and develop drugs to fight diseases.
Swedish Academy of Sciences Announces the Prize for Physics, Chemistry and Economics in 50 Years: Light on TV Screens, Lamps, and Tumor Tissues
A committee for each prize then discusses candidates in a series of meetings throughout the year. At the end of the process, the committee presents one or more proposals to the full academy for a vote. The deliberations, which also include nominees other than winners, are confidential for 50 years.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which awards the physics, chemistry and economics prizes, asks for nominations a year in advance from thousands of university professors and other scholars around the world.
These small particles absorb light and are now spread on TV screens and lamps. They catalyze chemical reactions and their clear light can illuminate tumor tissue for a surgeon,” according to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which announced the award in Stockholm.
