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Interview transcript

[Takaaki Kajita] Hello.

[Adam Smith] Oh hello, my name is Adam Smith, I’m calling from Nobelprize.org, the official website of the Nobel Prize. Congratulations on the award of this year’s Nobel Prize.

[TK] Thank you very much.

[AS] How did you hear the news?

[TK] Well, I just, well actually, when I received the phone call I was checking my e-mails.

[AS] In your office? Right. And what was your first reaction?

[TK] Well, that was really a surprise to me.

[AS] I imagine it is still sinking in.

[TK] Yes, yes, still kind of unbelievable.

[AS] You sound as if you are alone, are there not people around you yet?

[TK] Well actually I’m in a small room so no one around.

[AS] I’m sure that very soon you will be surrounded by people.

[TK] {Laughs] Thank you.

[AS] You’ve devoted your research career to the study of neutrinos and I just wanted to ask you what is it that makes neutrinos so fascinating for you?

[TK] Yeah, actually I started my career in the so-called Kamiokande experiment. That was a proton decay experiment, but after finishing my thesis I wanted to improve my study on proton decay and I need to study atmospheric neutrinos because it is a background for proton decay, and I noticed that there is something strange happening there. So that is the beginning of my research on neutrinos.

[AS] And what is the significance of your finding that neutrinos have mass?

[TK] Well I think the significance is, this is clearly the physics that is beyond the standard model of particle physics.

[AS] Yes, it’s extending the standard model. And perhaps it explains some of this missing mass in the universe.

[TK] Well, yes, the observed mass by neutrinos in this experiment could be a little bit too small to explain the majority of the masses in the universe.

[AS] Aha, but maybe explains a little bit?

[TK] Yes, yes.

[AS] One of the nice things about your work is that you get to play with such amazing equipment, these collectors deep underground. It must be exciting, wonderful.

[TK] Well, yes, yes, actually as an experimentalist I was always excited in working in super Kamiokande and also Kamiokande experiments.

[AS] Amazing, amazing pieces of equipment. So what do you think is going to happen to you now? In the next few minutes and hours?

[TK] No idea. [Laughs]

[AS] [Laughs] Have you ever dreamed of this moment before?

[TK] Well, of course, well, as really a dream, maybe years, but not serious dreaming so far.

[AS] Well, it will be exciting to hear how it goes for you. We very much look forward to welcoming you to Stockholm in December when you come to receive your Nobel Prize.

[TK] Yes, thank you very much.

[AS] Thank you. Well, many congratulations.

[TK] Thank you very much.

[AS] I think you should probably enjoy this quiet time because I imagine it’s the last quiet time you’re going to get for a very long time.

[TK] Hmm, OK.

[AS] OK, thank you very much for speaking to me.

[TK] Thank you very much. Goodbye.

[AS] Bye bye.

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