Winners of the Nobel Prize for Physics | Nobel Laureates, Physics Fields, Discoveries | Britannica (original) (raw)
1901
Germany
discovery of X-rays
1902
Netherlands
investigation of the influence of magnetism on radiation
Netherlands
investigation of the influence of magnetism on radiation
1903
France
discovery of spontaneous radioactivity
France
investigations of radiation phenomena discovered by Becquerel
France
investigations of radiation phenomena discovered by Becquerel
1904
U.K.
discovery of argon
1905
Germany
research on cathode rays
1906
U.K.
researches into electrical conductivity of gases
1907
U.S.
spectroscopic and metrological investigations
1908
France
photographic reproduction of colours
1909
Germany
development of wireless telegraphy
Italy
development of wireless telegraphy
1910
Johannes Diederik van der Waals
Netherlands
research concerning the equation of state of gases and liquids
1911
Germany
discoveries regarding laws governing heat radiation
1912
Sweden
invention of automatic regulators for lighting coastal beacons and light buoys
1913
Netherlands
investigation into the properties of matter at low temperatures; production of liquid helium
1914
Germany
discovery of diffraction of X-rays by crystals
1915
U.K.
analysis of crystal structure by means of X-rays
U.K.
analysis of crystal structure by means of X-rays
1917
U.K.
discovery of characteristic X-radiation of elements
1918
Germany
discovery of the elemental quanta
1919
Germany
discovery of the Doppler effect in positive ion rays and division of spectral lines in an electric field
1920
Switzerland
discovery of anomalies in alloys
1921
Switzerland
work in theoretical physics
1922
Denmark
investigation of atomic structure and radiation
1923
U.S.
work on elementary electric charge and the photoelectric effect
1924
Sweden
work in X-ray spectroscopy
1925
Germany
discovery of the laws governing the impact of an electron upon an atom
Germany
discovery of the laws governing the impact of an electron upon an atom
1926
France
work on the discontinuous structure of matter
1927
U.S.
discovery of wavelength change in diffused X-rays
U.K.
method of making visible the paths of electrically charged particles
1928
U.K.
work on electron emission by hot metals
1929
France
discovery of the wave nature of electrons
1930
Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman
India
work on light diffusion; discovery of the Raman effect
1932
Germany
creation of quantum mechanics
1933
U.K.
introduction of wave equations in quantum mechanics
Austria
introduction of wave equations in quantum mechanics
1935
U.K.
discovery of the neutron
1936
U.S.
discovery of the positron
Austria
discovery of cosmic radiation
1937
U.S.
experimental demonstration of the interference phenomenon in crystals irradiated by electrons
U.K.
experimental demonstration of the interference phenomenon in crystals irradiated by electrons
1938
Italy
disclosure of artificial radioactive elements produced by neutron irradiation
1939
U.S.
invention of the cyclotron
1943
U.S.
discovery of the magnetic moment of the proton
1944
U.S.
resonance method for registration of various properties of atomic nuclei
1945
Austria
discovery of the exclusion principle of electrons
1946
U.S.
discoveries in the domain of high-pressure physics
1947
U.K.
discovery of the Appleton layer in the upper atmosphere
1948
U.K.
discoveries in the domain of nuclear physics and cosmic radiation
1949
Japan
prediction of the existence of mesons
1950
U.K.
photographic method of studying nuclear processes; discoveries concerning mesons
1951
U.K.
work on transmutation of atomic nuclei by accelerated particles
Ireland
work on transmutation of atomic nuclei by accelerated particles
1952
U.S.
discovery of nuclear magnetic resonance in solids
U.S.
discovery of nuclear magnetic resonance in solids
1953
Netherlands
method of phase-contrast microscopy
1954
U.K.
statistical studies of atomic wave functions
West Germany
invention of the coincidence method
1955
U.S.
measurement of the magnetic moment of the electron
U.S.
discoveries in the hydrogen spectrum
1956
U.S.
investigations on semiconductors and invention of the transistor
U.S.
investigations on semiconductors and invention of the transistor
U.S.
investigations on semiconductors and invention of the transistor
1957
China
discovery of violations of the principle of parity
China
discovery of violations of the principle of parity
1958
U.S.S.R.
discovery and interpretation of the Cherenkov effect
U.S.S.R.
discovery and interpretation of the Cherenkov effect
U.S.S.R.
discovery and interpretation of the Cherenkov effect
1959
U.S.
confirmation of the existence of the antiproton
U.S.
confirmation of the existence of the antiproton
1960
U.S.
development of the bubble chamber
1961
U.S.
determination of the shape and size of atomic nucleons
West Germany
discovery of the Mössbauer effect
1962
U.S.S.R.
contributions to the understanding of condensed states of matter
1963
West Germany
development of the shell model theory of the structure of atomic nuclei
U.S.
development of the shell model theory of the structure of atomic nuclei
U.S.
principles governing interaction of protons and neutrons in the nucleus
1964
U.S.S.R.
work in quantum electronics leading to construction of instruments based on maser-laser principles
Aleksandr Mikhaylovich Prokhorov
U.S.S.R.
work in quantum electronics leading to construction of instruments based on maser-laser principles
U.S.
work in quantum electronics leading to construction of instruments based on maser-laser principles
1965
U.S.
basic principles of quantum electrodynamics
U.S.
basic principles of quantum electrodynamics
Japan
basic principles of quantum electrodynamics
1966
France
discovery of optical methods for studying Hertzian resonances in atoms
1967
U.S.
discoveries concerning the energy production of stars
1968
U.S.
work with elementary particles, discovery of resonance states
1969
U.S.
classification of elementary particles and their interactions
1970
Sweden
work in magnetohydrodynamics and in antiferromagnetism and ferrimagnetism
France
work in magnetohydrodynamics and in antiferromagnetism and ferrimagnetism
1971
U.K.
invention of holography
1972
U.S.
development of the theory of superconductivity
U.S.
development of the theory of superconductivity
U.S.
development of the theory of superconductivity
1973
Japan
tunneling in semiconductors and superconductors
U.S.
tunneling in semiconductors and superconductors
U.K.
tunneling in semiconductors and superconductors
1974
U.K.
work in radio astronomy
U.K.
work in radio astronomy
1975
Denmark
work on the atomic nucleus that paved the way for nuclear fusion
Denmark
work on the atomic nucleus that paved the way for nuclear fusion
U.S.
work on the atomic nucleus that paved the way for nuclear fusion
1976
U.S.
discovery of a new class of elementary particles (psi, or J)
U.S.
discovery of a new class of elementary particles (psi, or J)
1977
U.S.
contributions to understanding the behaviour of electrons in magnetic, noncrystalline solids
U.K.
contributions to understanding the behaviour of electrons in magnetic, noncrystalline solids
U.S.
contributions to understanding the behaviour of electrons in magnetic, noncrystalline solids
1978
U.S.S.R.
invention and application of a helium liquefier
U.S.
discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation, providing support for the big-bang theory
U.S.
discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation, providing support for the big-bang theory
1979
U.S.
unification of electromagnetism and the weak interactions of subatomic particles
Pakistan
unification of electromagnetism and the weak interactions of subatomic particles
U.S.
unification of electromagnetism and the weak interactions of subatomic particles
1980
U.S.
demonstration of simultaneous violation of both charge-conjugation and parity-inversion symmetries
U.S.
demonstration of simultaneous violation of both charge-conjugation and parity-inversion symmetries
1981
U.S.
applications of lasers in spectroscopy
U.S.
applications of lasers in spectroscopy
Sweden
electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis
1982
U.S.
analysis of continuous phase transitions
1983
U.S.
contributions to understanding the evolution and devolution of stars
U.S.
contributions to understanding the evolution and devolution of stars
1984
Netherlands
discovery of subatomic particles W and Z, which supports the electroweak theory
Italy
discovery of subatomic particles W and Z, which supports the electroweak theory
1985
West Germany
discovery of the quantized Hall effect, permitting exact measurements of electrical resistance
1986
West Germany
development of electron microscopes
Switzerland
development of electron microscopes
West Germany
development of electron microscopes
1987
West Germany
discovery of new superconducting materials
Switzerland
discovery of new superconducting materials
1988
U.S.
research in subatomic particles
U.S.
research in subatomic particles
U.S.
research in subatomic particles
1989
U.S.
development of methods to isolate atoms and subatomic particles for study
West Germany
development of methods to isolate atoms and subatomic particles for study
U.S.
development of the atomic clock
1990
U.S.
discovery of quarks
U.S.
discovery of quarks
Canada
discovery of quarks
1991
France
discovery of general rules for behaviour of molecules
1992
France
invention of a detector that traces subatomic particles
1993
U.S.
identifying binary pulsars
U.S.
identifying binary pulsars
1994
Canada
development of neutron-scattering techniques
U.S.
development of neutron-scattering techniques
1995
U.S.
discovery of the tau subatomic particle
U.S.
discovery of the neutrino
1996
U.S.
discovery of superfluidity in the isotope helium-3
U.S.
discovery of superfluidity in the isotope helium-3
U.S.
discovery of superfluidity in the isotope helium-3
1997
U.S.
process of trapping atoms with laser cooling
France
process of trapping atoms with laser cooling
U.S.
process of trapping atoms with laser cooling
1998
U.S.
discovery of the fractional quantum Hall effect
U.S.
discovery of the fractional quantum Hall effect
U.S.
discovery of the fractional quantum Hall effect
1999
Netherlands
study of the quantum structure of electroweak interactions
Netherlands
study of the quantum structure of electroweak interactions
2000
Russia
development of fast semiconductors for use in microelectronics
U.S.
development of the integrated circuit (microchip)
Germany
development of fast semiconductors for use in microelectronics
2001
U.S.
achievement of Bose-Einstein condensation in dilute gases of alkali atoms; early fundamental studies of the properties of the condensates
Germany
achievement of Bose-Einstein condensation in dilute gases of alkali atoms; early fundamental studies of the properties of the condensates
U.S.
achievement of Bose-Einstein condensation in dilute gases of alkali atoms; early fundamental studies of the properties of the condensates
2002
U.S.
detection of neutrinos
U.S.
seminal discoveries of cosmic sources of X-rays
Japan
detection of neutrinos
2003
U.S.
discoveries regarding superconductivity and superfluidity at very low temperatures
Russia
discoveries regarding superconductivity and superfluidity at very low temperatures
U.S.
discoveries regarding superconductivity and superfluidity at very low temperatures
2004
U.S.
discovery of asymptotic freedom in the theory of the strong interaction
U.S.
discovery of asymptotic freedom in the theory of the strong interaction
U.S.
discovery of asymptotic freedom in the theory of the strong interaction
2005
U.S.
contributions to the field of optics
U.S.
contributions to the development of laser spectroscopy
Germany
contributions to the development of laser spectroscopy
2006
U.S.
discovery of the blackbody form and anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background radiation
U.S.
discovery of the blackbody form and anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background radiation
2007
France
discovery of giant magnetoresistance
Germany
discovery of giant magnetoresistance
2008
Japan
discovery of the origin of the broken symmetry which predicts the existence of at least three families of quarks in nature
Japan
discovery of the origin of the broken symmetry which predicts the existence of at least three families of quarks in nature
U.S.
discovery of the mechanism of spontaneous broken symmetry in subatomic physics
2009
Canada/U.S.
invention of the CCD sensor, an imaging semiconductor circuit
U.K./U.S.
achievements concerning the transmission of light in fibres for optical communication
U.S.
invention of the CCD sensor, an imaging semiconductor circuit
2010
Netherlands
experiments regarding the two-dimensional material graphene
Russia/U.K.
experiments regarding the two-dimensional material graphene
2011
U.S.
discovery of the accelerating expansion of the universe through observations of distant supernovae
U.S./Australia
discovery of the accelerating expansion of the universe through observations of distant supernovae
U.S.
discovery of the accelerating expansion of the universe through observations of distant supernovae
2012
France
development of methods that enable measuring and manipulation of individual quantum systems
U.S.
development of methods that enable measuring and manipulation of individual quantum systems
2013
Belgium
theoretical discovery of a mechanism that contributes to the understanding of the origin of mass of subatomic particles
U.K.
theoretical discovery of a mechanism that contributes to the understanding of the origin of mass of subatomic particles
2014
Japan
invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes, which has enabled bright and energy-saving white light sources
Japan
invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes, which has enabled bright and energy-saving white light sources
U.S.
invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes, which has enabled bright and energy-saving white light sources
2015
Japan
discovery of neutrino oscillations, which show that neutrinos have mass
Canada
discovery of neutrino oscillations, which show that neutrinos have mass
2016
U.K.
theoretical discoveries of topological phase transitions and topological phases of matter
U.K.
theoretical discoveries of topological phase transitions and topological phases of matter
U.K.
theoretical discoveries of topological phase transitions and topological phases of matter
2017
U.S.
decisive contributions to the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory detector and the observation of gravitational waves
U.S.
decisive contributions to the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory detector and the observation of gravitational waves
U.S.
decisive contributions to the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory detector and the observation of gravitational waves
2018
U.S.
invention of optical tweezers and their application to biological systems
France
invention of a method of generating high-intensity ultra-short optical pulses
Canada
invention of a method of generating high-intensity ultra-short optical pulses
2019
Canada/U.S.
theoretical discoveries in physical cosmology
Switzerland
discovery of an exoplanet orbiting a solar-type star
Switzerland
discovery of an exoplanet orbiting a solar-type star
2020
Germany
discovery of a supermassive compact object at the centre of the Milky Way Galaxy
U.S.
discovery of a supermassive compact object at the centre of the Milky Way Galaxy
U.K.
discovery that black hole formation is a robust prediction of the general theory of relativity
2021
Germany
development of the foundation for human knowledge of the Earth's climate and how humanity influences it
Japan/U.S.
development of the foundation for human knowledge of the Earth's climate and how humanity influences it
Italy
discovery of the interplay of disorder and fluctuations in physical systems from atomic to planetary scales
2022
France
experiments with quantum entanglement that laid the foundation for a new era of quantum technology
U.S.
experiments with quantum entanglement that laid the foundation for a new era of quantum technology
Austria
experiments with quantum entanglement that laid the foundation for a new era of quantum technology
2023
France
development of experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter
Hungary
development of experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter
France
development of experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter
2024
John Hopfield
U.S.
foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks
U.K./Canada
foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks