Interview with Zhang Shousheng Stanford University, USA Lifetime Professor, American Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences Foreign Member of the People's Republic of China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award 2017
'In China, quantum computing has made considerable progress in recent years, some scientists have also made good scientific research, but also from 0 to 1 more such an original process.' January 8, the United States Stanford University lifetime Professor Zhang Shousheng, a member of the American Academy of Sciences and a foreign academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said in an interview with Sina Technology after receiving the 2017 International Science and Technology Cooperation Award of the People's Republic of China.
As one of the outstanding scientists in the field of condensed matter theory physics, Zhang Shusheng has actively participated in the cooperation of Chinese research institutes over the years. He actively participated in the cooperation with Chinese research institutes and directly contributed to China's efforts in the fields of quantum anomalous Hall effect, topological insulator, Semi-metals and other fields in the international leading position for China's relevant scientific research and international frontiers between the study set up a bridge.
Cooperation with China: play a bridge role to achieve a win-win situation
In recent years, China has attached great importance to the introduction of overseas talents and a large number of scholars have established cooperation with Chinese research institutes through talents programs such as the "Thousand Talents Program" or returned home with the status of professors of domestic universities. In 2009, Zhang Shousheng was selected as 'Thousand Talents Program' And was chaired by Professor Tsinghua University as a professor at the Institute of Advanced Studies founded by Mr. Yang Zhenning.China places more emphasis on science and a considerable proportion of its GDP is devoted to science and scientists are increasingly being respected, The foundation of education is very good. "During his studies at Tsinghua University, Zhang Shusheng encountered many solid students in theoretical and physical basic research, which made him very delighted. 'I hope I could play a good role as a bridge and cultivate more talents for the Chinese science Further development contribute to their own strength.
Many years of cooperation with China was very successful. During his work in Tsinghua University, Zhang Shou-sheng theory predicted the realization of quantum anomalous Hall effect. In cooperation with Xue Qi-kun and others, it was the first time to experimentally discover the quantum anomalous Hall effect. In addition, Cooperation and Certification The incorporation of 3d magnetic elements into Bi2Se3, Bi2Te3 and Sb2Te3 is the best way to realize the magnetic topological insulator. It is confirmed by theoretical calculations that this is the ideal material for realizing the quantum anomalous Hall effect.
In July 2017, Zhang Shisheng and several other Chinese scientists announced the discovery of 'Angel Particles', another milestone in quantum physics following the' God 'particles, neutrinos and gravitons. "Zhang Sheng said the team is verifying the use of' Angel particles 'to do the quantum computing concept, is currently doing topological quantum computing research,' the international forefront of research is quantum computing error correction, the hope that the use of topological quantum computing principle, every quantum bit will not make mistakes, Can be run alone.If the realization of quantum computing will bring about a revolutionary breakthrough in the future will also be committed to working with Chinese research institutions to change the expansion of quantum computing limitations.Now has set up a topological quantum physics center at Stanford University, Cooperation in the establishment of experimental centers in China so that scientific concepts can be advanced equipment to verify.
According to Zhang Sheng introduction, if the experimental center is completed, the experimental design part will be completed at Stanford University, experimental verification part will be carried out in the country, the ultimate result of sharing and achieve win-win situation.
Open new directions: Artificial Intelligence predicts new material
Every major historical period of mankind will use materials to name, such as the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, etc., indicating that materials have played a significant role in human development, but the previous materials were discovered by chance , And topological insulator material does theoretically predict.Zhangsheng Sheng team is currently studying a very new direction: the use of artificial intelligence to predict new materials, including inorganic materials, organic materials, and even some small molecule drug materials, hoping to To the rapid development of precision medical treatment in order to achieve accurate treatment of human diseases and effective early warning .Zhang Sheng said the current research is being carried out at Stanford University, will consider future cooperation with China.
Multiple jobs: venture capitalist
In addition to the theoretical physicist, another well known identity of Zhangsheng Sheng is venture capitalist.
Zhang Shisheng said that prior to his successful investment experience at Stanford University and his being attracted by China's 'Double Creations' program, in September 2013, Zhang Shusheng founded Danhua Capital together with his student Gu Anjia. From Stanford Stanford, 'Hua' taken from China, Danwa's philosophy is to connect the scientific frontier and investment to build bridges between China and the United States. Many of Danvest investment in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence direction .
At the end of the interview, Zhang Shou-jo laughed and said he was now 54 years old and felt that life had just begun. He wanted to devote his whole life's energy to the development of science and technology in China.
Interview Record:
Q: Why would you be awarded this award for international cooperation in science and technology?
A: The quantum anomalous Hall effect, the discovery of topological insulators, makes the work done by Chinese scientists to the forefront of the world.The 19 big report mentioned that we have to have a strategic vision, in a huge field of scientific research To find a good subject, which requires a good vision, I am also very concerned about China, first, 'Thousands of people plan', scientists like me to the forefront of science and research topics can be brought to China, and second, I Teach students also came to China to do the "Youth Thousand Talents Program." They can take root in China for scientific research. Therefore, I think the scientific research in China will continue to move forward and will move to the forefront of the world.
Q: What do you think about the gap between China and other countries in quantum computing research? What cooperation plans do you follow in China?
A: The development of quantum computing in China has made great strides in recent years. Some scientists have also achieved good scientific results and need more original processes from 0 to 1. I think the traditional quantum computer planning Will inevitably be a developmental limitation, in the quantum computer research process, a quantum bit, you need ten to twenty error correction qubits to serve the qubit, it will inevitably lead to its non-expansion.
In July 2017, we announced that the discovery of 'Angel Particles' will bring a 0 to 1 innovation to the overall quantum computing, a finding that will greatly facilitate quantum computing, and we've worked with other scientists in the topology Insulators have made relatively good achievements, I also hope that in the future and domestic scientists can cooperate to be able to go this way.
My future cooperation with China is committed to changing the scalability limitations of quantum computing, hope that the use of topological quantum computing principle, a quantum bit will not make mistakes, can run alone. This will be able to revolutionize quantum computing Breakthrough. I recently founded the Topology Quantum Physics Center at Stanford University in the United States. We also hope to establish an experimental center in cooperation with Chinese research institutes so that we can try some ideas in China.
Q: At present, many companies in China like Quantum Communications, Quanta Communications, are very concerned about quantum computing. What do you think of this?
A: In general, quantum computing is a relatively basic research, but Google, Microsoft, IBM are doing, so that quantum research is indeed a strategic high ground.China now has many outstanding students, and now the domestic scientific instruments As a theoretical scientist, I need a lot of scientific research equipment to verify the idea, so that some of our ideas can be quickly verified by experiments.We recently proposed the use of 'angel particles' to do some of the ideas of quantum computing , Some decisive results have been achieved.
Q: In addition to quantum computing, there are other directions of cooperation?
A: We have recently taken a very new direction, using artificial intelligence to predict new materials. Topological Insulators The discovery of this material is unprecedented in human history. In the past, the discovery of materials was often found accidentally in the laboratory. But topological insulator materials are theoretically predicted by us, and every major historical period of human beings is named by material, such as the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age Silicon, material development for human beings Played a great role, but the material in the past are discovered by chance.
However, the discovery of topological insulators has changed this situation and we can use theory to guide the discovery of materials that are of interest to humans.Next, we would like to go further and use artificial intelligence to learn new ways to predict new materials. Once made , So that we can not only do some inorganic materials, but also predict some organic materials, and even some small molecule drug materials, and use it for precision medical treatment.At present, these are carried out at Stanford University, and I will consider cooperating with China in the future, I think the prize awarded by the state to me as the International Science and Technology Cooperation Prize represents China's internationalization. I want to do a good job in the bridge and better serve China.
Q: How do you feel about the atmosphere China attaches to science?
A: Most of my students at Stanford University come from famous Chinese universities. When I came to Tsinghua University in 2009 as a Distinguished Professor, I met some very good students. Theoretical physics is very much needed in the entire scientific research. So I think China's education foundation is very good now more and more emphasis on science in China, on the one hand is a large proportion of GDP have invested in science, and second, the country now very much respect for scientists, and now China I am most concerned about the moment of science, so I also feel that I have a great responsibility. I hope I can play a role as a bridge, especially the most needed part of China now: Which of the many alternative research directions can make a major breakthrough? , To create new knowledge for mankind and truly benefit mankind.
Q: Which of the following are you thinking of setting up Danhua Capital now?
A: I set up Danhua also in line with the state's 'double-start' plan. The most important thing for the country in 'double-teaming' is production, teaching and research. Danhua's concept is that production, learning and research constitute a triangle. First, linking scientific frontiers with investment Second, I set up a bridge between China and the United States. In response to the Thousand Talents Program in 2009, I returned to China and brought the frontier research to China. To do front-line technological innovations and to transform early-stage technological innovations for the benefit of mankind at an early date Of products, so I need a combination of production and research, Stanford University in this area has been very successful, I made a professor at Stanford University to invest when Danhua is currently investing a lot of cutting-edge technology.
Q: What is your laboratory currently doing research? What do you think the most cutting-edge research in the world?
A: At the moment, I think the most cutting-edge in the world is quantum computing error correction. I am currently doing topological quantum computing and there may be some results released in the near future.