Stockholm - Quantum physicists Alexei Abrikosov, Vitaly Ginzburg and Anthony Leggett on Tuesday won the 2003 Nobel Physics Prize for pioneering contributions to the theory of superconductors and superfluids, the Nobel jury said.

The trio was honoured for providing deeper insights into the ways in which matter behaves in its "lowest and most ordered state", the jury said.

Abrikosov, a Russian and a US citizen, and Leggett, a British-American citizen, both live in the United States, whereas Ginzburg, a Russian, lives in Moscow.

The formal award of the prizes is scheduled for December 10, when the three will share a cheque for 10 million Swedish kronor (about R9-million). - AFP