Core Viewpoint - Laurent Simons, a 15-year-old prodigy known as the "Belgian Little Einstein," has successfully defended his PhD thesis in quantum physics at the University of Antwerp, potentially making him one of the youngest scholars to achieve this milestone [2][8]. Research Summary - Simons' doctoral thesis focuses on Bose-Einstein condensates as tunable "quantum simulators" to explore many-body physical phenomena, particularly charged Bose polarons and supersolid Bose polarons, which exhibit unique states of matter combining superfluidity and crystalline order [4]. - His research utilized variational path integral methods to analyze the ground state properties of these systems, observing phenomena such as localization of polarons under strong interactions and proposing the use of absorption spectroscopy to detect complex quantum state information [4][8]. Academic Journey - Simons began his education at age 4, completing primary school in two years and graduating at age 6. He continued this accelerated learning path, finishing high school in about 1.5 years by age 8 [10][12]. - He faced institutional challenges during his academic journey, particularly at Eindhoven University of Technology, where he was initially expected to graduate before turning 10 but was delayed due to concerns about his mental health and the need for critical thinking development [14][12]. - After transferring to the University of Antwerp, he completed his undergraduate degree in physics in just 18 months and earned a master's degree in quantum physics by age 12 [14][12]. Future Aspirations - Following his PhD, Simons aims to pursue a second doctorate in medicine and artificial intelligence in Munich, focusing on creating "superhumans" through advancements in medical science [19][23]. - He has joined a research team at the Helmholtz Munich Center and Munich University, working under Professor Ali Ertürk, known for developing techniques to create transparent organs for detailed biological mapping [22][23]. Parental Guidance and Public Interest - Simons' parents have been cautious about the public attention and commercial opportunities that have arisen, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance between his scientific pursuits and personal development [27]. - They have rejected offers from tech giants and wealthy individuals, advocating for Simons to focus on his research goals rather than becoming a commercial entity [27].
15岁拿下量子物理博士,他马不停蹄转战AI医学,誓言「创造超人类」
机器之心·2025-11-30 06:00