First time in 55 years, Nobel Prize in Physics awarded To woman after 1963

The Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded and honored to a woman for the first time after 55 years. Donna Strickland from Canada is the 3^rd woman of the award along with Marie Curie, who won in 1903, and Maria Goeppert-Mayer, who was awarded the prize in 1963.

Dr. Strickland shares this year's award with Arthur Ashkin of the USA and Gerard Mourou of France. It recognizes their discoveries in the area of laser physics. Dr. Ashkin developed a laser technique called optical tweezers that is used to study biological systems.

Professor Ashkin is the oldest person ever to win a Nobel Prize at the age of 96 and will receive the nine million Swedish Crown Award (approximately $ 1.01 million or $ 870,000) from Prof Strickland and Dr. Ing. Ashkin told the Nobel committee that he may not be able to interview because "he's very busy with his latest work."

Professor Olga Boner, Chairman of the Nobel Committee, said: "Over the last six decades, lasers and laser devices have become indispensable.

"Billions of people daily use optical drives, laser printers and barcode scanners. Or are entertained by amazing laser light shows.

Although Ashkin's optical tweezers sound more alien to science fiction, they allow scientists to hold, observe, and move small objects with "laser-beam fingers." This means that laboratories can examine and manipulate viruses, bacteria and other living cells without damaging them.

"Advanced precision instruments open up unexplored research areas and a variety of industrial and medical applications," wrote the Nobel organizer in the winner's Twitter feed.

Each of the six Nobel Prizes will be awarded SEK 9 million (approximately $ 1 million), which can be shared by up to three recipients. Half of 2018 will be Strickland and Mourou and the other half Ashkin.

Now a Days, UNESCO supports women in science, where they are too often under-represented and undervalued. UNESCO was helped by Dr. Mourou at the UNESCO-coordinated International Year of Light and the participation of the Optical Society (OSA), Strickland was honored in drafting the programs of the International Year of Light.