On October 3, the Royal Swedish Academy of Science announced the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics which has been awarded to Scientists Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L’Huillier for their contribution towards the study of electrons using pulses of light.

According to the Academy, the three scientists has been recognised for their experiments which given humanity new tools to explore the world of electrons inside atoms and molecules. Agostini, Krausz and L’Huiller developed a new way to create extremely short pulses of light that can be used to measure the rapid processes by which electrons move or change energy. The laureates’ contributions have enabled the investigation of processes that was once so rapid that it was previously impossible to follow.

Pierre Agostini is a Professor at The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA. Ferenc Krausz is the Director at Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, Garching and Professor at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany. While Anne L’Huillier is a Professor at Lund University, Sweden.

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“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,” stated Eva Olsson, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics.

The prize amount for the Nobel Prize in Physics is 11 million Swedish kronor which will be shared equally between the laureates.

Anne L’Huillier’s recognition will also make her the fifth woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.