LSU physicist contributes to Nobel Prize-winning research

Bradley E. Schaefer, an LSU professor of Physics & Astronomy, has been invited to attend the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden, in recognition of his contribution to this year’s Nobel Prize-winning research in physics. The 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to the leaders of two research teams that discovered the universe’s rate of expansion is accelerating due to “dark energy.” The teams each independently published their findings in 1999, and they were confirmed with further research in 2003. As a member of one of the two teams, Schaefer served as the observer on the WIYN telescope, located on Kitt Peak in Arizona, where he measured the brightness of all the supernovas. The research led to the discovery of the accelerated expansion of the universe due to an unknown form of energy embedded in the fabric of space. This energy, known as dark energy, has been described as one of the greatest enigmas in physics today. Although researchers are still unsure what dark energy is, they have determined that it accounts for more than 70% of the universe. Along with his work in the field, Schaefer also co-authored one of the papers that documented the discovery of the accelerated expansion of the universe. Stockholm’s Nobel Week takes place Dec. 7-13, and includes a series of press conferences, Nobel lectures, receptions, concerts and balls. The Nobel Prize award ceremony will take place Dec. 10.