Core Viewpoint - Yang Zhenning, a renowned physicist and Nobel laureate, passed away on October 18, 2025, in Beijing at the age of 103 [1] Group 1: Early Life and Education - Yang Zhenning was born on October 1, 1922, in Hefei, Anhui, and moved to Tsinghua University with his family in 1929 [3] - He attended Southwest Associated University, where he excelled academically and was noted as the best student [6] - Yang graduated from Southwest Associated University in 1942 and later pursued graduate studies at Tsinghua University [8] Group 2: Academic Career and Contributions - In 1945, Yang went to the United States as a Tsinghua University government-sponsored student and studied at the University of Chicago [9] - He developed significant theories, including the Yang-Mills theory in 1954, which laid the groundwork for the Standard Model of particle physics [14][16] - Yang and Li Zhengdao proposed the concept of parity violation in weak interactions in 1956, leading to their Nobel Prize in Physics in 1957 [19] Group 3: Influence and Legacy - Yang Zhenning played a crucial role in promoting scientific exchange between China and the West, especially after the thawing of Sino-American relations in the 1970s [22][24] - He established various educational initiatives and funds to support Chinese scholars studying abroad [29][31] - Yang's contributions to physics and education have been recognized globally, with numerous awards and honors, including the naming of an asteroid after him [36]

Core Insights - Renowned physicist Yang Zhenning passed away on October 18, 2025, in Beijing at the age of 103, shortly after celebrating his birthday [1] - Yang Zhenning was a Nobel Prize winner in Physics, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and held prestigious positions at Tsinghua University [3] Contributions to Physics - Yang Zhenning was known for his groundbreaking work on the "parity violation" theory, which he proposed in 1957, leading to a Nobel Prize shared with fellow scientist Li Zhengdao [3] - The "parity violation" theory revolutionized the understanding of fundamental symmetries in nature and laid the groundwork for the development of the particle physics standard model [3] - Alongside Robert Mills, Yang Zhenning developed the "Yang-Mills theory," a cornerstone of the particle physics standard model, which has influenced various fields of mathematics and physics [4] Impact on Chinese Science - After returning to China in the 1970s, Yang Zhenning played a significant role in advancing Chinese physics and fostering international scientific exchanges [4] - He settled at Tsinghua University in 2003, dedicating his efforts to leading basic scientific research and nurturing young talent [5] - Yang Zhenning believed his most important contribution was enhancing the self-confidence of the Chinese people through his scientific achievements [5]

Core Points - Renowned physicist and Nobel laureate Yang Zhenning passed away on October 18, 2025, in Beijing at the age of 103 [2] - Yang Zhenning was born in 1922 in Hefei, Anhui, and made significant contributions to modern physics, including the Yang-Mills theory and the concept of parity violation in weak interactions [4][5] - He was instrumental in fostering academic exchanges between China and the United States and contributed to the development of China's scientific education [6] Biography - Yang Zhenning was born in 1922 and moved to Tsinghua University in 1929, later studying at Southwest Associated University and Tsinghua University Graduate School [4] - He earned his PhD from the University of Chicago in 1948 and held various prestigious academic positions, including at Princeton and Stony Brook University [4] - He returned to Tsinghua University in 1999 and played a crucial role in the development of the university's advanced research initiatives [4][6] Contributions to Physics - Yang Zhenning's work laid the foundation for the Standard Model of particle physics, making him one of the most significant physicists of the 20th century [5] - He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1957 for his revolutionary ideas on parity violation, becoming one of the first Chinese Nobel laureates [5] - His discoveries, including the Yang-Baxter equation, opened new avenues in statistical physics and quantum groups [5][6] Legacy - Yang Zhenning's lifelong dedication to science and education has left a profound impact on both domestic and international scientific communities [6][7] - He is remembered for his scholarly attitude and contributions to the reform and development of higher education in China [6][7] - His life is celebrated as a remarkable journey of exploration and patriotism, embodying the spirit of inquiry and dedication to one's country [7]

Core Viewpoint - The article commemorates the life and contributions of renowned physicist Yang Chen-Ning, who passed away at the age of 103, highlighting his significant impact on modern physics and his legacy in scientific research [2][19]. Group 1: Personal Background - Yang Chen-Ning was born in 1922 in Hefei, Anhui, graduated from Southwest Associated University in 1942, and obtained his master's degree in 1944 before pursuing further studies in the United States [8]. - He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1948 and conducted postdoctoral research at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, collaborating with fellow physicist Li Zhengdao for over a decade [8]. Group 2: Major Contributions - Yang's most notable achievement is the discovery of parity non-conservation in weak interactions, which he and Li Zhengdao proposed in 1956, challenging the long-held belief in parity conservation in physics [10][11]. - The Yang-Mills theory, developed in 1954 with Robert Mills, extended the concept of gauge symmetry beyond electromagnetism, forming the mathematical foundation for the Standard Model of particle physics [13]. - He made foundational contributions to statistical mechanics and integrable systems, notably through the Yang-Baxter equation, which has widespread applications in various fields, including quantum field theory and condensed matter physics [14][16]. Group 3: Legacy and Impact - Yang returned to China in his later years, settling at Tsinghua University, where he continued to mentor future generations of scientists [17]. - In 2021, he donated over 2,000 valuable items, including books and manuscripts, to Tsinghua University, leaving a lasting intellectual legacy [17]. - His passing marks the end of an era in physics, but his scientific ideas will continue to guide future explorations of the universe [19].

Core Points - Renowned physicist Yang Zhenning, a Nobel Prize winner and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, passed away on October 18, 2025, in Beijing at the age of 103 [1] Group 1: Biography and Education - Yang Zhenning was born in 1922 in Hefei, Anhui, and moved to Tsinghua University in 1929. He entered Southwest Associated University in 1938 and graduated with a master's degree from Tsinghua University in 1944. He pursued further studies in the United States, earning a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1948 [3] - He joined the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton in 1949, became a permanent member in 1952, and was a professor there until 1999. He also held prestigious positions at Stony Brook University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong [3] Group 2: Contributions to Physics - Yang Zhenning is recognized as one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century, contributing significantly to modern physics. He co-developed the Yang-Mills theory, which laid the groundwork for the particle physics standard model, comparable to Maxwell's equations and Einstein's general relativity [4] - He, along with Li Zhengdao, proposed the revolutionary idea of parity violation in weak interactions, earning the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1957, making them among the first Chinese Nobel laureates [4] - Yang discovered the Yang-Baxter equation, which opened new directions in statistical physics and quantum groups, impacting various fields such as particle physics, field theory, statistical physics, and condensed matter physics [4] Group 3: Contributions to Education and Science in China - Yang Zhenning was deeply committed to his homeland, significantly contributing to China's science and education. He initiated a wave of visits by overseas Chinese scholars to China starting in 1971 and advocated for the restoration and strengthening of basic scientific research [5] - He established the "Committee for Educational Exchange with China," funding nearly a hundred Chinese scholars to study in the U.S., who later became key figures in China's technological development [5] - Upon returning to Tsinghua University, he dedicated himself to the development of the Institute for Advanced Study, greatly influencing the advancement of physics and talent cultivation at Tsinghua University and contributing to the reform and development of higher education in China [5]

Core Points - Renowned physicist Yang Zhenning, a Nobel Prize winner and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, passed away on October 18, 2025, in Beijing at the age of 103 [1] Group 1: Biography and Education - Yang Zhenning was born in 1922 in Hefei, Anhui, and moved to Tsinghua University in 1929. He entered Southwest Associated University in 1938 and graduated with a master's degree from Tsinghua University in 1944. He pursued further studies in the United States, earning a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1948 [3] - He joined the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton in 1949 and became a permanent member in 1952, later serving as a professor at Stony Brook University and holding various prestigious academic positions [3] Group 2: Contributions to Physics - Yang Zhenning is recognized as one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century, contributing significantly to modern physics. He co-developed the Yang-Mills theory, which laid the groundwork for the particle physics standard model, comparable to Maxwell's equations and Einstein's general relativity [4] - He, along with Li Zhengdao, proposed the revolutionary idea of parity violation in weak interactions, earning the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1957, becoming one of the first Chinese laureates [4] - Yang's discovery of the Yang-Baxter equation opened new directions in statistical physics and quantum groups, impacting various fields including particle physics and condensed matter physics [4] Group 3: Influence and Legacy - Yang Zhenning was instrumental in fostering academic exchanges between China and the United States, initiating a wave of visits by Chinese scholars to the U.S. after his first visit to China in 1971 [5] - He established the "Committee for Educational Exchange with China," funding nearly a hundred Chinese scholars to study in the U.S., significantly contributing to China's scientific development [5] - His dedication to the development of Tsinghua University's Institute for Advanced Study and his influence on China's science and education policies have left a lasting impact on higher education reform in China [5]

Core Viewpoint - The article commemorates the life and contributions of Yang Zhenning, a renowned physicist and Nobel laureate, highlighting his significant impact on modern physics and his dedication to education and scientific development in China [4][5]. Group 1: Personal Background - Yang Zhenning was born in 1922 in Hefei, Anhui, and moved to Tsinghua University in 1929. He studied at Southwest Associated University and later earned a master's degree from Tsinghua University [3]. - He pursued further studies in the United States, obtaining a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1948 and subsequently working at Princeton University [3]. Group 2: Scientific Contributions - Yang Zhenning is recognized as one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century, co-developing the Yang-Mills theory, which laid the groundwork for the standard model of particle physics [4]. - He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1957 for his revolutionary ideas on parity violation in weak interactions, becoming one of the first Chinese Nobel laureates [4]. - His work on the Yang-Baxter equation opened new directions in statistical physics and quantum groups, influencing multiple fields within physics [4]. Group 3: Contributions to Education and Science in China - Yang Zhenning played a pivotal role in fostering academic exchanges between China and the United States, initiating a wave of visits by Chinese scholars to the U.S. [5]. - He established the "Committee for Educational Exchange with China," funding nearly a hundred Chinese scholars to study in the U.S., significantly contributing to China's scientific development [5]. - Upon returning to Tsinghua University, he dedicated himself to the development of the Institute for Advanced Study, impacting the reform and growth of higher education in China [5].

Core Points - The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to scientists John Clarke, Mike H. Devorett, and John M. Martini for their discovery of the macroscopic quantum tunneling effect and energy quantization in circuits [1] Group 1: Nobel Prize Winners - The Nobel Prize in Physics has recognized various scientists over the years, with notable contributions from Chinese scientists such as Yang Chen-Ning and Li Zhengdao, who won in 1957 for their groundbreaking work on parity conservation [5] - Other significant winners include Ding Zhaozhong in 1976 for discovering the J/ψ particle, and Gao Kun in 2009 for his contributions to optical communication [5] Group 2: Notable Absentees - Several influential physicists, such as Stephen Hawking, have not received the Nobel Prize despite their significant contributions, primarily due to the lack of experimental verification of their theories [9] - Wu Jianxiong, known for her experimental validation of the parity non-conservation theory, is often cited as a notable omission from the list of Nobel laureates [9] Group 3: Recent Winners - The past decade of Nobel Prize winners reflects the forefront of contemporary physics, with awards given for advancements in machine learning, attosecond light pulses, and quantum information science [10][11][12]

Core Viewpoint - The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to three American scientists: John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis for their discoveries related to macroscopic quantum tunneling effects and energy quantization in circuits [2][4]. Recent Nobel Prize Winners in Physics - In 2024, John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton were recognized for their foundational discoveries and inventions in machine learning using artificial neural networks [7]. - In 2023, Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz, and Anne L'Huillier were awarded for their contributions to generating attosecond light pulses to study electron dynamics in matter [11]. - The 2022 prize went to Alain Aspect, John F. Clauser, and Anton Zeilinger for their work on entangled photons and quantum information science [14]. - In 2021, Syukuro Manabe, Klaus Hasselmann, and Giorgio Parisi were honored for their pioneering contributions to understanding complex physical systems [15]. - The 2020 prize was split between Roger Penrose for proving black hole formation and Reinhard Genzel and Andrea Ghez for discovering supermassive dense objects at the center of the Milky Way [18]. Notable Chinese Nobel Prize Winners in Physics - In 1956, Chen-Ning Yang and Tsung-Dao Lee were awarded for their proposal of parity violation [22]. - In 1976, Samuel Ting received the prize for discovering the J particle [23]. - In 1997, Steven Chu was recognized for his invention of methods for cooling and trapping atoms with lasers [24]. - In 1998, Robert C. Richardson was awarded for explaining the phenomenon of electronic quantum fluids [25]. - In 2009, Charles K. Kao was honored for breakthroughs in optical communication through fiber optics [26].

Core Viewpoint - The article reflects on the life and contributions of Yang Zhenning, a prominent physicist, highlighting his achievements, struggles, and enduring legacy in the field of physics. Group 1: Early Life and Education - Yang Zhenning was born over a century ago and experienced significant turmoil during his childhood, including fleeing from military conflicts [3][4]. - He faced challenges as a Chinese student in the U.S., including discrimination when trying to purchase a home [5]. - Yang Zhenning excelled academically, being the only student accepted into a physics program under a scholarship initiative in 1945 [13]. Group 2: Major Contributions and Achievements - He won the Nobel Prize at the age of 34 for his work on "parity violation," a groundbreaking theory in physics [6][7]. - Yang Zhenning's collaboration with Mills led to the development of the Yang-Mills theory, which unified three fundamental forces, marking a milestone in 20th-century physics [7][8]. - His work has been compared to that of Newton, Maxwell, and Einstein, establishing him as one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century [8]. Group 3: Later Life and Legacy - Even in his later years, Yang Zhenning remained active in research, publishing over 30 SCI papers and contributing to the establishment of numerous top-tier physics laboratories [5][22]. - He expressed concerns about the future of high-energy physics and opposed the construction of large particle colliders in China due to cost-effectiveness considerations [28][29]. - Yang Zhenning's reflections on his life reveal a sense of pragmatism and a desire for future generations to excel in science [26][30].