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The 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to Arthur Ashkin, Gerard Mourou and Donna Strickland — the first female physics laureate since 1963 — for "groundbreaking inventions in the field of laser physics."

Why it matters: "The inventions being honored this year have revolutionized laser physics," writes the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. "Extremely small objects and incredibly rapid processes are now being seen in a new light. Advanced precision instruments are opening up unexplored areas of research and a multitude of industrial and medical applications."

Woman wins Nobel prize in physics for first time since 1963

Donna Strickland was honored alongside Arthur Ashkin and Gerard Mourou.

Members of the Nobel Committee for Physics. Photo: Hanna Franzen/AFP via Getty Images

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The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2018 Nobel Prize in Physics" data-vars-click-url="https://old.nobelprize.org/phy-press.pdf?_ga=2.139980790.458463315.1538388983-955629435.1538388983" data-vars-content-id="7c0355d0-6571-4738-b94b-dcb745a9d182" data-vars-headline="Woman wins Nobel prize in physics for first time since 1963" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://old.nobelprize.org/phy-press.pdf?_ga=2.139980790.458463315.1538388983-955629435.1538388983" target="_blank">2018 Nobel Prize in Physics</a> has been awarded to Arthur Ashkin, Gerard Mourou and Donna Strickland — the first female physics laureate since 1963 — for &quot;groundbreaking inventions in the field of laser physics.&quot;Why it matters: &quot;The inventions being honored this year have revolutionized laser physics,&quot; writes the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. &quot;Extremely small objects and incredibly rapid processes are now being seen in a new light. Advanced precision instruments are opening up unexplored areas of research and a multitude of industrial and medical applications.&quot;

Woman wins Nobel prize in physics for first time since 1963

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