Belgium's Francis Halzen wins Nobel physics prize

Francis Halzen won the Nobel Prize in physics on Tuesday for his contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and his discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the award in Stockholm.

The Nobel Prize comes with prize money of 12 million Swedish kronor (about $1.2 million) this year, whether awarded to an individual, a small group of laureates or an organization.

Last year, three scientists received the Nobel Prize in physics for research into the unusual behavior of subatomic particles known as quantum tunneling. Their work enabled the ultra-sensitive measurements used by MRI machines and helped lay the groundwork for improved cellphones and faster computers.

The announcement of this year's Nobel prizes began Monday, with the medicine prize going to three scientists whose work led to a tool that uses light to help unravel how the brain works.

The awards continue Wednesday with the chemistry prize and Thursday with the literature prize. The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced Friday, followed by the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences on Monday, reports UNB.