Nobel Prize 2023 For Physics Awarded To Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L’Huillier (image-twitter/nobelprize)

The 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L’Huillier “for experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter.” The three Noble Laureates were recognised for their experiments which has given the humanity a new tool to explore the world of electrons inside atoms and molecules.

Anne L’Huillier discovered a new effect from laser light’s interaction with atoms in a gas while Pierre Agostini and Ferenc Krausz contributed by demonstrating that this effect can be used to create shorter pulses of light than were previously possible.

Just like films that consists of still images is perceived as continual movement. Similarly in the world of electrons changes occur in a few tenths of an attoseconds. The laureates’ experiments have produced pulses of light so short that they are measured in attoseconds, thus demonstrating that these pulses can be used to provide images of processes inside atoms and molecules. Through their experiments, they were successful to create flashes of light that are short enough to take snapshots of electrons’ extremely rapid movements.

“We can now open the door to the world of electrons. Attosecond physics gives us the opportunity to understand mechanisms that are governed by electrons. The next step will be utilising them,” says Eva Olsson, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics.

Noble Prize for Physics is the second award to be announced this week. On Monday Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to Hungarian scientist Katalin Kariko and her American colleague Drew Weissman. They were honoured for their ground breaking discovery which has laid the foundation for the development of Covid-19 vaccines.

The Noble Prizes for other categories will be awarded soon. The announcement is scheduled until October 9.