UW physicists win 2026 Breakthrough Prize for study of enigmatic particle
Our take
The recent recognition of David Hertzog and his team at the University of Washington with the 2026 Breakthrough Prize for Fundamental Physics marks a significant milestone in our understanding of the elusive muon, a subatomic particle that has intrigued scientists for decades. This award, shared among roughly 400 researchers, underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing scientific knowledge. The study of muons is not just an academic endeavor; it has profound implications for the future of physics and our comprehension of the universe. It’s a reminder of the intricate dance of particles that constitutes our reality and the quest for deeper truths that drives scientific inquiry.
The muon, often described as a heavier cousin of the electron, behaves in ways that challenge our current understanding of fundamental physics. This anomalous behavior raises questions about the very fabric of our universe, pushing the boundaries of established theories. As highlighted in other recent articles like Court Rules Texas State Must Reinstate Prof Fired for Israel-Palestine Talk and Kentucky State University Students, Alumni Sue to Block New State Law, the intersection of academia and societal issues continues to be a hotbed for debate and discussion. The recognition of Hertzog’s work serves as an inspiring beacon for students and emerging scientists who are navigating the complexities of both scientific exploration and societal responsibilities.
What makes this breakthrough particularly relevant for the broader community is its potential to reshape our understanding of the universe's fundamental laws. The implications of muon research extend beyond theoretical physics into practical applications, possibly influencing fields such as particle physics, cosmology, and even technology development. For students at institutions like WSU, where curiosity and collaboration are fundamental, this achievement exemplifies the spirit of inquiry that drives innovation. It encourages a culture of exploration and learning, demonstrating that even complex scientific endeavors can yield significant rewards when approached with a community-first mindset.
Moreover, as we celebrate this achievement, it also prompts us to reflect on the resources and support systems that cultivate scientific inquiry. Just as Hertzog and his colleagues drew upon a network of collective knowledge and expertise, students today must harness the same spirit of collaboration. Engaging in hands-on projects, participating in clubs, and fostering connections with mentors can lead to discoveries that resonate far beyond our immediate surroundings. With initiatives like the recent UW researchers decipher beluga calls to bolster conservation efforts, we see how interdisciplinary approaches can yield solutions to pressing global challenges.
Looking ahead, it will be fascinating to monitor how the revelations from muon research influence future scientific inquiries and educational pursuits. Will this breakthrough inspire a new generation of physicists, or perhaps even attract more students to the sciences? As we continue to explore the mysteries of the universe, one thing is certain: the journey will require not just individual brilliance, but a collective effort to push the boundaries of what we know. The future of physics, and indeed our understanding of the cosmos, hinges on our ability to work together, learn from one another, and remain open to the wonders that lie ahead.
University of Washington professor of physics David Hertzog and UW research professor emeritus Peter Kammel are part of an international team that won the 2026 Breakthrough Prize for Fundamental Physics. The $3 million award is shared among roughly 400 scientists, including 18 other researchers from the UW team. It celebrates decades of work to better understand the muon — a subatomic particle with anomalous properties. This collaborative effort could ultimately lead to the discovery of entirely new particles.
“A remarkable aspect of these experiments is that it took the collective talents and experience of scientists and engineers from particle, nuclear, atomic, optical, accelerator and theoretical physics communities to work coherently toward one single goal,” Hertzog said. “Together, we measured a property of the muon that encapsulates almost everything we know about modern physics from relativity to quantum mechanics to the zoo of particles that govern the fundamental forces that shape our world.”
The Breakthrough Prizes were established in 2012 to recognize research achievements in life sciences, fundamental physics and mathematics.
Muons, short-lived subatomic particles, are created for experiments by particle accelerators. They exist for a fraction of a second before decaying into electrons and even tinier particles called neutrinos. During their short life, muons exhibit magnetic properties that deviate slightly from the Standard Model – the leading theory that describes the particles and forces that make up the universe, along with anything that exists that has not yet been discovered.
The experiments recognized by the Breakthrough Prize represent 60-plus years of work to find out exactly how far the muon’s magnetism strays from Standard Model predictions. The first experiments began in 1959 at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, also called CERN.
Hertzog’s group at the University of Illinois was involved in a later experiment at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in the mid-1990s. He joined the faculty at UW in 2010 and helped develop a new experiment at Fermi National Accelerator (Fermilab) that in 2025 published a new set of muon measurements with record-setting precision.
While Hertzog and others have now completed their experimental measurements, theorists continue to refine the predictions of the Standard Model. In time, the gap between theory and experiment — where the muon currently hovers — may vanish or persist. If the muon’s properties never fit the Standard Model, physicists may need to explore entirely new theories.
“No matter where the final theory settles, the comparison with our experiment will have important consequences and give us deep insight into the heart of matter,” Hertzog said.
Many UW physicists have been recognized by Breakthrough Prizes since the prizes’ inception, including a banner year in 2021 that also featured a win in the life sciences category by Nobel Prize laureate David Baker, a UW professor of biochemistry.
“The Breakthrough Prize has previously recognized UW physicists for work that deepened our understanding of gravity, dark energy and dark matter,” said Daniel Pollack, UW divisional dean of natural sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences. “This latest recognition is a testament to the value of large-scale collaborative physics research and we are very proud of the accomplishments of all of the UW faculty, postdocs and students who contributed to this effort.”
A full list of current UW researchers recognized by the 2026 prize is available here. Learn about other UW wins at the Breakthrough Prize here.
For more information, contact Victor Balta at balta@uw.edu.
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