In the early years of his career, Walter Kutschera conducted nuclear physics experiments with particle accelerators in Germany. After moving to the Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago in 1978, he began working in a new and developing field, accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). This method uses particle accelerators as highly sensitive mass separators. In 1993, he moved to Vienna, where he initiated and headed the Vienna Environmental Research Accelerator (VERA).

The AMS technique allows to detect extremely low concentrations of long-lived radioisotopes. These are produced by cosmic radiation, anthropogenic influences or element synthesis in stars. Walter Kutschera has applied AMS in various interdisciplinary fields, from nuclear physics with research of superheavy nuclei to astrophysics, archaeology, geosciences and life sciences. His most significant works include the age determination of Antarctic ice and the so-called "Ötzi" ice man.

Kutschera was honoured by the jury for his "for his extraordinary achievements in the field of nuclear physics, particularly in accelerator mass spectrometry".

More information: https://www.primapagina.sif.it/article/2041/il-premio-enrico-fermi-2025