Dr Koshiba's second detector showed that neutrinos, previously believed to be massless, actually have a small mass.

ECONOMIST: The 2002 Nobel prizes: Windows on the world | The

The neutrino prize was shared by Raymond Davis and Masatoshi Koshiba.

ECONOMIST: The 2002 Nobel prizes: Windows on the world | The

Dr Koshiba's device, which worked by detecting light generated as a result of collisions between neutrinos and the electrons in water, was located down a Japanese zinc mine.

ECONOMIST: The 2002 Nobel prizes: Windows on the world | The

Restaurant owner Koshiba and his brother-in-law -- Paul Yang, the CEO of Delta Capital, a real estate development company -- will watch the political leadership with a wary eye.

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