Dr. Atanu Nath, an Assistant Professor of Physics at Tihu College in Assam’s Nalbari district, received the 2026 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics. He is part of a 376-member international collaboration, including 11 Indian scientists, recognised for work on the Muon g−2 experiments at CERN, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Fermilab.
Breakthrough Prize In Fundamental Physics
The Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics is a $3 million award established by Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, including Yuri Milner and Mark Zuckerberg. The prize is one of the major global awards in physics and is linked to large-scale international research collaborations.
Muon g−2 Experiment
The Muon g−2 experiment studies the magnetic moment of the muon, a second-generation lepton with a mass about 207 times that of the electron. The quantity g−2 measures the deviation of the muon’s magnetic moment from the Dirac value of 2, and precise measurements are used in tests of the Standard Model of particle physics.
Scientific Context
- The muon is an unstable subatomic particle with a mean lifetime of about 2.2 microseconds.
- The Standard Model is the accepted theory of fundamental particles and three of the four known fundamental forces.
- Precision experiments on the muon are used to search for physics beyond the Standard Model.
- Muon g−2 research has involved major laboratories in Europe and the United States, including CERN, Brookhaven, and Fermilab.
Dr. Atanu Nath’s Role
Dr. Nath worked on the Fermilab effort in the laser calibration system, which is used for experimental precision. He also served as a Run Coordinator during one phase of the experiment.
Indian Participation In Global Physics
Indian scientists have participated in several international high-energy physics collaborations at CERN and Fermilab. Dr. Nath is the first and only scientist from North East India to receive the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics.
Last Modified: April 25, 2026