Shoichi Sakata

Shoichi Sakata was a Japanese physicist known for his significant contributions to neutrino physics. In the 1960s, he proposed a theoretical framework suggesting that neutrinos, elusive particles that are fundamental to the universe, could change their identities, or "flavors," as they travel. This phenomenon, now known as neutrino oscillation, implied that neutrinos have mass, challenging previous assumptions. Sakata's work laid the groundwork for experimental confirmations of neutrino oscillation, leading to a deeper understanding of particle physics, the behavior of the universe, and the fundamental interactions between particles. His legacy continues to influence research in physics today.