The Herbert Walther Prize honors outstanding contributions in quantum optics and atomic physics as well as outstanding achievements in the international scientific community. The prize is awarded jointly by OPTICA (formerly OSA) and the German Physical Society (DPG) in memory of Herbert Walther, who researched in the USA and Germany with great success and who is outstanding for his work for OPTICA and DPG deserved. The award takes place annually alternately in the USA and in Germany.
For an extensive body of work in optics, including ultra-stable lasers, ultra-cold polar molecules, ultra-high resolution spectroscopy, and ultra-high accuracy optical clocks.