2009 Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to inventors of CCD chips
6 October 2009
The Nobel Prize for Physics 2009 has been awarded to two scientists for their work developing Charge Coupled Devices, or CCDs for short. These are used in digital imaging devices, notably for professional and high-end amateur telescopes. The remarkable pictures we see from the depths of the Universe are thanks to CCD technology.
½ of the prize has been awarded to Charles K. Kao, from China and the United Kingdom for his work involving the transmission of light in fiber optics. The other half of the prize has been awarded to Willard S. Boyle and George E. Smith, from the USA. During an post-announcement interview with Boyle, he expressed his delight and told a story of how happy he was after seeing images sent back from Mars probes that were possible thanks to CCD technology.
The official panel said the award has been given "for groundbreaking achievements concerning the transmission of light in fibers for optical communication" and "for the invention of an imaging semiconductor circuit - the CCD sensor".
The Nobel Prize in Physics is a highly prestigious award, given once a year for truly outstanding work. The selection process is long and difficult, ensuring that only the very best works are considered for the prize. It is fitting that the Prize awarded during IYA2009 should be won by scientists who have developed tools vital to astronomers, and skywatchers around the world are sure to join together in congratulating Charles K. Kao, Willard S. Boyle and George E. Smith on this remarkable achievement.
Official Nobel Prize website: http://www.nobelprize.org/
Search IYA2009 Updates
National Nodes: 148
Organisational Nodes: 40
Organisational Associates:33
National Websites: 111
Cornerstone Projects: 12
Special Task Groups: 11
Special Projects:16
Official Products:8
Media Partners:22
IYA2009 Patron
