Aswathi Balagopal Details IceCube Neutrino Finding at 10^15 Electronvolts Recognized by Nobel Committee
Updated
Updated · Mathrubhumi English · Oct 26
Aswathi Balagopal Details IceCube Neutrino Finding at 10^15 Electronvolts Recognized by Nobel Committee
2 articles · Updated · Mathrubhumi English · Oct 26
Summary
V Aswathi Balagopal said her IceCube work identified a previously unseen structure in the cosmic neutrino energy spectrum, a result the Nobel Committee highlighted in documents accompanying its recognition of astrophysical neutrino research.
Working with graduate student Vedant Basu, she used new data-analysis techniques to measure how many neutrinos reach Earth at different energy levels and found a pattern that differed from earlier measurements.
IceCube detects rare neutrino interactions with more than 5,000 light sensors embedded deep in Antarctic ice across about 1 cubic kilometre, enabling studies of particles arriving from beyond Earth.
Balagopal said the collaboration detected astrophysical neutrinos at peta-electronvolt energies—10^15 electronvolts—within two years of IceCube's full operation, a milestone that helped establish the field.
The Kozhikode-born scientist, now with research experience in Germany and the United States, urged students in Kerala to pursue internships, networking and direct outreach to professors to find scientific opportunities.