Belgian-born physicist Francis Halzen wins 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for neutrino research

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics to Francis Halzen, according to DW, France 24, NPR, Reuters, The Guardian and other outlets. The Academy announced the prize in Stockholm on Tuesday, 6 October 2026. According to France 24, the citation honours him "for decisive contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin."

Halzen, 82, was born in Belgium and works at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the United States, according to DW, France 24, NPR and Phys.org. Reuters described him as Belgian-American. The IceCube observatory is located at the South Pole in Antarctica. DW, NPR and Phys.org reported that his work on capturing neutrinos there dates back to the 1980s. The prize is worth 12 million Swedish kronor (about $1.2 million), according to several outlets.

Mark Pearce, chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics, said in a news release: "Francis Halzen has led an international team of researchers and engineers who have provided us with a fantastic instrument. His tenacity and scientific vision has paved the way for a new kind of astronomy," according to France 24. Halzen spoke to the committee by phone from Italy on Tuesday, NPR reported. NPR quoted him as saying: "It was a great surprise and I obviously didn't expect it." DW quoted him as saying: "This was kind of an adventure, where success was not guaranteed. It was a long journey, but it finally worked."

The physics prize is the second Nobel announced this week, after Monday's medicine prize. According to France 24, NPR and Phys.org, the chemistry prize follows on Wednesday, literature on Thursday, peace on Friday and economic sciences the following Monday.

What is not yet known: Details are still emerging; Vocemundi will update this story as sources confirm more information.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.