Scientists Win Nobel in Physics for Work on Quantum Science
2022-10-05
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1Three scientists have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work in the field of quantum information science.
2The Stockholm-based Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the winners Tuesday.
3The Nobel recipients are Frenchman Alain Aspect, American John F. Clauser and Austrian Anton Zeilinger.
4The scientists all carried out experiments in a field known as quantum entanglement.
5It considers how unseen particles can be linked or "entangled" with each other even when they are separated by large distances.
6Such particles could include photons or microscopic pieces of matter.
7The field has long been studied by physicists.
8Albert Einstein once described quantum entanglement as "spooky action at a distance."
9The Nobel committee said the 79-year-old Clauser developed quantum theories from the 1960s into an experiment.
10It said Aspect, a 75-year-old, was able to close a loophole in those theories.
11And, 77-year-old Zeilinger, the committee said, demonstrated methods in quantum teleportation that showed that information could be effectively sent over distances.
12The experiments carried out by Clauser helped settle a famous debate about quantum mechanics between Einstein and famed physicist Niels Bohr.
13The debate centered on elements in the universe that connect matter and light in entangled ways.
14Clauser spoke to The Associated Press about his work.
15"I was betting on Einstein. But unfortunately I was wrong and Einstein was wrong and Bohr was right."
16Clauser added, "Being a little bit entangled is sort of like being a little bit pregnant - the effect grows on you."
17Clauser said his work demonstrated that information cannot be enclosed in a fixed space, even though he does not fully understand why.
18"Most people would assume that nature is made out of stuff distributed throughout space and time," Clauser said.
19"And that appears not to be the case."
20Eva Olsson is a member of the Nobel committee.
21She said the study of quantum information should not be seen as just a theoretical thought experiment.
22Instead, she called it a "vibrant and developing field."
23Vibrant means lively or energetic.
24Olsson added that the field offers wide possibilities in areas such as securing information and communication, quantum computing and sensing technology.
25"Its predictions have opened doors to another world, and it has also shaken the very foundations of how we interpret measurements."
26Speaking by phone to a news conference after the announcement, Zeilinger said he was "kind of shocked" at hearing he had received the award.
27"But it's a very positive shock," he said.
28There had been talk over the past 10 years that Clauser, Aspect, and Zeilinger were under consideration for a Nobel.
29In 2010, the three won the Wolf Prize in Israel.
30That prize is traditionally seen as a possible predictor of Nobel winners.
31The Nobel prizes come with a money award of nearly $900,000.
32They will be officially handed out during a ceremony in December.
33I'm Bryan Lynn.
1Three scientists have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work in the field of quantum information science. 2The Stockholm-based Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the winners Tuesday. The Nobel recipients are Frenchman Alain Aspect, American John F. Clauser and Austrian Anton Zeilinger. 3The scientists all carried out experiments in a field known as quantum entanglement. It considers how unseen particles can be linked or "entangled" with each other even when they are separated by large distances. Such particles could include photons or microscopic pieces of matter. 4The field has long been studied by physicists. Albert Einstein once described quantum entanglement as "spooky action at a distance." 5The Nobel committee said the 79-year-old Clauser developed quantum theories from the 1960s into an experiment. It said Aspect, a 75-year-old, was able to close a loophole in those theories. And, 77-year-old Zeilinger, the committee said, demonstrated methods in quantum teleportation that showed that information could be effectively sent over distances. 6The experiments carried out by Clauser helped settle a famous debate about quantum mechanics between Einstein and famed physicist Niels Bohr. The debate centered on elements in the universe that connect matter and light in entangled ways. 7Clauser spoke to The Associated Press about his work. "I was betting on Einstein. But unfortunately I was wrong and Einstein was wrong and Bohr was right." Clauser added, "Being a little bit entangled is sort of like being a little bit pregnant - the effect grows on you." 8Clauser said his work demonstrated that information cannot be enclosed in a fixed space, even though he does not fully understand why. "Most people would assume that nature is made out of stuff distributed throughout space and time," Clauser said. "And that appears not to be the case." 9Eva Olsson is a member of the Nobel committee. She said the study of quantum information should not be seen as just a theoretical thought experiment. Instead, she called it a "vibrant and developing field." Vibrant means lively or energetic. 10Olsson added that the field offers wide possibilities in areas such as securing information and communication, quantum computing and sensing technology. "Its predictions have opened doors to another world, and it has also shaken the very foundations of how we interpret measurements." 11Speaking by phone to a news conference after the announcement, Zeilinger said he was "kind of shocked" at hearing he had received the award. "But it's a very positive shock," he said. 12There had been talk over the past 10 years that Clauser, Aspect, and Zeilinger were under consideration for a Nobel. In 2010, the three won the Wolf Prize in Israel. That prize is traditionally seen as a possible predictor of Nobel winners. 13The Nobel prizes come with a money award of nearly $900,000. They will be officially handed out during a ceremony in December. 14I'm Bryan Lynn. 15The Associated Press and Reuters reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English. 16___________________________________________________________________ 17Words in This Story 18entangle - v. to cause something to be caught in something 19spooky - adj. strange or frightening 20loophole - n. a means of escape 21bet - v. to risk money on the result of a game, competition, etc. 22assume - v. to think something is likely to be true, even though there is no proof 23distribute - v. to give or send something out 24foundation - n. the idea or principle something is based on 25interpret - v. to explain or decide what something means 26positive - adj. feeling hopeful and happy about something 27_______________________________________________________________________ 28What do you think of this story? 29We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 30Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.