by InTrieste
In a rare joint appearance, Nobel Prize-winning physicists Anne L’Huillier and Alain Aspect captivated a full house at the University of Trieste Wednesday evening, recounting their personal and professional journeys through decades of scientific discovery.
The event, titled Storie di luce: due Nobel si raccontano (Stories of Light: Two Nobel Laureates Share Their Stories), took place in the Aula Magna of Building A at the university’s Piazzale Europa campus. Part of a broader celebration of the 80th anniversary of the university’s Department of Physics and the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, the evening offered the audience—composed largely of university students and faculty—an opportunity to hear firsthand accounts from two of the most prominent figures in modern physics.
L’Huillier, awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics for her pioneering work in attosecond science, spoke candidly about the challenges she faced early in her career, from navigating a male-dominated field to balancing research with teaching. “There is a quiet beauty in precision,” she told the crowd, “but science also requires resilience.”
Aspect, who received the Nobel in 2022 for his groundbreaking experiments on quantum entanglement, echoed those sentiments. “Science is never a solitary journey,” he said. “It’s built on collaboration, patience, and a sense of curiosity that never leaves you.”
The event was moderated by journalist Eva Ciuk, who guided the conversation with a light touch, drawing out personal anecdotes and reflections on the nature of scientific inquiry.
Both laureates emphasized the importance of supporting young researchers and fostering interdisciplinary work, especially in rapidly evolving fields like quantum technology.
