Anthony Legget developed his theory in the 1970s at the University of Sussex in England. Later he moved to the United States, where he now works at the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois. Alexei Abrikosov and Vitaly Ginzburg made their discoveries during the 1950s – 1960s, while working in the Soviet Union. Abrikosov moved to the US in early 1990s. Vitaly Ginzburg still works at the Lebedev Physical Institute in Moscow.
When Gazeta.Ru's correspondent reached the building of the Lebedev Physical Institute, it was already under siege by journalists. Professor Ginzburg was compelled to interrupt a seminar to hold a short news conference. At the same time, Ginzurg emphasized that there is no need to exaggerate his contributions.
“Indeed, we have done something. But then, I have to warn you right way: there is no need to overestimate the prize. All prizes are relative, it is just that this one (the Nobel Prize) is quite well known. Besides, each year it is awarded to but three people, that is why many people, perhaps no less worthy than me, have never received it.”
According to the Professor, he was very glad to be awarded the prize, but when he first heard of it, he was sincerely surprised. “Some person from Stockholm called and said in English (luckily, I understand English): “You have just been awarded the Nobel Prize.” I said: “Are you joking?” He said no. Then he asked about something, and I realized that he, indeed, was not joking. Then calls began rolling in, and here is my old physiognomy, at your service”.
The Professor said he had not plans to celebrate. “Friends will be calling with greetings. There won’t be a huge party”.
The 87-year-old scientist plans to spend part of his one-third share of the $1.3m Nobel prize on the theoretical physics department, whose role in his discoveries he would not underestimate, he said. Professor Ginzburg said he also planned to give part of his money to his grandchildren.
“By the way, concerning money. What I have received is not more than an ordinary football-player or a hockey-player earns. So, no need to think that is such a high amount after all. In this sense I believe that I, as well as all my colleagues, deserve more than a football-player or a hockey-player does.”
Quantum physicists Alexei A. Abrikosov, Vitaly L. Ginzburg and Anthony J. Leggett won the 2003 Nobel Physics Prize for pioneering contributions to the theory of superconductors and superfluids, the Nobel jury said.
Both superconductivity and superfluidity are manifestations of quantum theory. Under normal conditions, quantum phenomena are detectable only on a microscopic scale. But in extreme cold, when matter is in its most ordered state, quantum effects occur in bulk materials.
Superconductivity has more practical applications than superfluidity, particularly in the electronics industry. Superconducting magnets are, for example, used in magnetic resonance imaging - the body scanning technique for which the Nobel prize for medicine was awarded on Monday.
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