About
06 October 2015
The Optical Society Congratulates 2015 Nobel Prize Winners in Physics
The Optical Society Congratulates 2015 Nobel Prize Winners in Physics:
The Discovery of Neutrino Oscillations
The Discovery of Neutrino Oscillations
Dr. Takaaki Kajita and Dr. Arthur B. McDonald Used More Than 11,000 Optical Sensors to Detect Neutrino Values
WASHINGTON — The 2015 Nobel Prize in physics was awarded today to Takaaki Kajita, University of Tokyo, Japan, and to Arthur B. McDonald, Queen’s University, Canada, for their contributions to experiments showing that neutrinos — very common but hard-to-detect particles — have mass. The discovery that neutrinos are able to change from one identity to another is the first clear experimental evidence of physics beyond the Standard Model of particles and interactions. Through the use of optical sensors, the research team was able to capture the very rare collisions of neutrinos.
"Neutrinos are some of the most abundant particles in the cosmos, and some of the most elusive," said Elizabeth Rogan, CEO, The Optical Society. “This Nobel Prize award underscores the value of optics and photonics in new and significant scientific discovery."
Dr. Kajita, is one of the leaders of the Super-Kamiokande experiment, Japan, while Dr. McDonald led the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO), Canada. These experiments complement each other in the type of observations they perform, but over the last two decades their results pointed to the same conclusion: neutrinos were oscillating, or changing from one “flavor” to another as they travel. Neutrino oscillation experiments have proliferated since, confirming and strengthening confidence in everything researchers at Super-Kamiokande and SNO discovered.
The prestigious Nobel Prize has been awarded for achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace since 1901 by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden. The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences was established in 1968 in Memory of Alfred Nobel, the founder of the Nobel Prize. Recipients receive a medal and a diploma and share a cash award, to be presented in December.
About The Optical Society
Founded in 1916, The Optical Society (OSA) is the leading professional organization for scientists, engineers, students and entrepreneurs who fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate achievements in the science of light. Through world-renowned publications, meetings and membership initiatives, OSA provides quality research, inspired interactions and dedicated resources for its extensive global network of optics and photonics experts. OSA is a founding partner of the National Photonics Initiative and the 2015 International Year of Light. For more information, visit: www.osa.org.
Media Contact:
MediaRelations@osa.org
