FRANCIS HALZEN, NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICS 2026
Francis Halzen
Credit: Ill. Niklas Elmehed © Nobel Prize Outreach
Francis Halzen, professor of physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA), was awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to the detection of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin, a key component of multi-messenger astronomy.
Francis Halzen has opened a new window onto extreme phenomena in the cosmos by founding and leading the instrumental feat that is the IceCube Observatory—thousands of detectors buried in ice to form a 1 km³ instrument in Antarctica—to detect the first very high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin.
His enthusiasm and generosity brought together 450 collaborators for this project and continue to inspire an entire community.
He is a pioneer of the field of multi-messenger astrophysics, in which IAP scientists are also taking part.
We had the honor of hosting him for a seminar at the IAP in 2014.
Our warmest congratulations to Francis Halzen on this award, as well as to all members of IceCube who contributed to this major breakthrough in astrophysics.
Link
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Press Release.
October 2026