Martinus J.G. Veltman
Facts
Photo from the Nobel Foundation archive.
Martinus J.G. Veltman
Nobel Prize in Physics 1999
Born: 27 June 1931, Waalwijk, the Netherlands
Died: 4 January 2021, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
Prize motivation: “for elucidating the quantum structure of electroweak interactions in physics”
Prize share: 1/2
Work
According to modern physics, four fundamental forces exist in nature. Electromagnetic interaction is one of these. The weak interaction—responsible, for example, for the beta decay of nuclei—is another. In the 1960s, a unified theory was formulated for these two forces: the electroweak interaction. However, certain problems still remained to be solved. In the early 1970s, Martinus Veltman and Gerardus t'Hooft formulated and tested a mathematical theory that further explained the electroweak interaction.
Six prizes were awarded for achievements that have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind. The 10 laureates' work and discoveries range from optogenetics to efforts to promote peace and international law.
See them all presented here.
