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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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6

Digital Pioneers Scoop Physics Nobel Prize

Trio's work on light paved way for Internet, digital cameras

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(Newser) – The Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded today to three scientists whose research into light paved the way for the digital age. Charles Kao received the prize for his work on the transmission of light through fiber-optic cables—the basis of modern communication networks. Bell Labs researchers Willard Boyle and George Smith were recognized for inventing a semiconductor unit used in the eye of contemporary digital cameras.

All three laureates, whose research dates from the late 1960s, are American citizens, although Kao was born in Shanghai and also holds British citizenship, and Boyle is also a Canadian. Kao will be awarded half of the $1.4 million prize in Stockholm in December, while Boyle and Smith will each receive a quarter.

Charles Kao, one of the three scientists awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics today.
Charles Kao, one of the three scientists awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics today.   (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara/file)
Kao's work on the transmission of light via fiber optic cables was a key discovery in the history of modern communication networks.
Kao's work on the transmission of light via fiber optic cables was a key discovery in the history of modern communication networks.   (©pdstahl)
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6 comments
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riffran
Oct 6, 09 6:26 AM CDT
good for them...that's awsome Reply
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Thinker
Oct 6, 09 7:11 AM CDT
Why can't the U.S. reward and venerate these people instead of pro athletes? Reply
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Unaffiliated
Oct 6, 09 9:25 AM CDT
Now that they've won the Nobel, they'll be able to make a killing on the lecture circuit. Isn't that rewarding?
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Woofer58
Oct 6, 09 10:06 AM CDT
Absolutely brilliant work ! yeah ! Reply
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JoeQ
Oct 6, 09 12:17 PM CDT
From an historic point of view that is truly ironic. CCDs are based upon the photoelectric effect. The Nobel committee dragged their feet for many years before finally bowing to pressure from the world's top physicists and awarding Einstein a single Nobel prize for the photoelectric effect. They did not seem to like him for some reason, and only awarded it because they kept hearing that if they didn't it would cast into question the legitimacy of the prize itself. In fact he probably deserved three or four of them. Nowadays they have no choice but to give them out for technological research that is far less fundamental. Reply
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