A glance at the Nobel Prize for physics

[October 09, 2012]  (AP) -- WHO WON?

Frenchman Serge Haroche of the College de France and Ecole Normale Superieure, Paris, and American David Wineland of the University of Colorado in Boulder.

FOR WHAT?

The two were cited for inventing and developing methods for observing tiny quantum particles without destroying them.

THE SIGNIFICANCE?

Their research has led to the construction of extremely precise clocks that could become the basis for a new standard of measuring time and helped scientists take the first steps toward building superfast computers.

WHAT THEY SAID?

Haroche: "It's very overwhelming. ... At first I called my children. ... There are a lot of people in the world that deserve the prize so I tried to not to expect too much."

[Associated Press]

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