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'Master of light' win Nobel Prize Nobel honours 'masters of light'
(10 minutes later)
Charles Kao, Willard Boyle, and George Smith will share this year's Nobel Prize for physics. Three scientists who corralled light to transform our communications systems share this year's physics Nobel Prize.
Kao is lauded for his work in helping to develop fibre optic cables, the slender threads of glass that carry phone and net data as light. Briton Charles Kao is lauded for his work in helping to develop fibre optic cables, the slender threads of glass that carry phone and net data as light.
Boyle and Smith, who work out of the US, are recognised for their part in the invention of the charged coupled device, or CCD. Willard Boyle and George Smith, both North Americans, are recognised for their part in the invention of the charged coupled device, or CCD.
This light detector lies at the heart of nearly all digital cameras.This light detector lies at the heart of nearly all digital cameras.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which administers the prize, said half of the award would go to Kao, who was born in Shanghai and is a UK-US citizen.The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which administers the prize, said half of the award would go to Kao, who was born in Shanghai and is a UK-US citizen.
It was his insight while working in the UK in the 1960s, said the academy, which allowed researchers to take fibre optics to a new level - to enable these thin cables to transmit light over much longer distances than had previously been possible.It was his insight while working in the UK in the 1960s, said the academy, which allowed researchers to take fibre optics to a new level - to enable these thin cables to transmit light over much longer distances than had previously been possible.
Kao's team proposed the means to improve dramatically the purity - and therefore the efficiency - of the glass material used to construct the fibres.Kao's team proposed the means to improve dramatically the purity - and therefore the efficiency - of the glass material used to construct the fibres.
Today, fibre optics underpin the communication age.Today, fibre optics underpin the communication age.
The hair-like cables speed data around the globe in the form of pulses of light. The telephony system is built on the technology, and high-speed broadband internet would not be possible without it. The hair-like cables speed data around the globe in the form of rapid pulses of light.
The other half of the prize is to be split between Boyle and Smith, both of Bell Laboratories at Murray Hill in the US sate of New Jersey. The modern telephony system is built on the technology, and high-speed broadband internet would not be possible without it.
Wondrous views
The other half of the prize is to be split between Boyle and Smith, both whom made their breakthrough at Bell Laboratories at Murray Hill in the US sate of New Jersey.
Their group invented the first digital sensor, a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device), in 1969.Their group invented the first digital sensor, a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device), in 1969.
CCDs are based on Albert Einstein's famous observation of the photoelectric effect.CCDs are based on Albert Einstein's famous observation of the photoelectric effect.
By this effect, light particles falling on a material are seen to disturb its electrons. The CCD reads this disturbance and converts into an electric signal.By this effect, light particles falling on a material are seen to disturb its electrons. The CCD reads this disturbance and converts into an electric signal.
The challenge when designing an image sensor was to gather and read out the signals in a large number of image points, pixels, in a short time, the Nobel committee said.The challenge when designing an image sensor was to gather and read out the signals in a large number of image points, pixels, in a short time, the Nobel committee said.
The Hubble telescope records its images on CCDs
In meeting that challenge, Boyle and Smith "revolutionised photography, as light could be now captured electronically instead of on film," it added.In meeting that challenge, Boyle and Smith "revolutionised photography, as light could be now captured electronically instead of on film," it added.
While the technology has delivered instant pictures to the masses, CCDs have also transformed scientific observation.While the technology has delivered instant pictures to the masses, CCDs have also transformed scientific observation.
Specialist detectors are now incorporated into the imaging systems of all space missions.Specialist detectors are now incorporated into the imaging systems of all space missions.
The Hubble telescope, for example, records its wondrous views of the cosmos on CCDs. And the vivid landscapes of Mars returned by robotic vehicles have also been captured on charged coupled devices.The Hubble telescope, for example, records its wondrous views of the cosmos on CCDs. And the vivid landscapes of Mars returned by robotic vehicles have also been captured on charged coupled devices.
The Nobel Prizes - which also cover chemistry, medicine, literature, peace and economics (more properly called the Sveriges Riksbank Prize) - are valued at 10m Swedish Kronor (£900,000; 1m euros; $1.4m).The Nobel Prizes - which also cover chemistry, medicine, literature, peace and economics (more properly called the Sveriges Riksbank Prize) - are valued at 10m Swedish Kronor (£900,000; 1m euros; $1.4m).
Laureates also receive a medal and a diploma.Laureates also receive a medal and a diploma.
This year's medicine Nobel, announced on Monday, honoured the study of telomeres, the structures in cells that cap the end's of DNA bundles, or chromosomes.This year's medicine Nobel, announced on Monday, honoured the study of telomeres, the structures in cells that cap the end's of DNA bundles, or chromosomes.
The work has further our understanding on human ageing, cancer and stem cells.The work has further our understanding on human ageing, cancer and stem cells.
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.ukJonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk