Yu-Ao Chen
yuaochen@hfnl.cn
Education
2004-2008 Ph.D. in [Quantum Optics], [Universität Heidelberg]
2002-2004 Master's Degree in [Atomic and Molecular Physics], [USTC]
1998-2002 Bachelor's Degree in [Theoretical Physics], [USTC]
Experience
2021-Present Senior Researcher, Hefei National Laboratory
2012-Present Professor, USTC
Overview of Academic Research
Prof. Chen has been engaged in fundamental experimental research in quantum physics for a long time, dedicated to developing quantum control technologies for light and cold atoms and systematically applying them to multiple quantum information research directions such as quantum communication, quantum computing, and precision measurement.
His major achievements include:
* For the first time, five, six, eight, ten, and twelve photon entanglement has been achieved, setting multiple world records for the preparation of multi photon entanglement states.
* Designed a new set of entanglement sources, achieving quantum teleportation and entanglement distribution in 100 kilometer free space for the first time, laying the foundation for satellite based wide area quantum communication.
* Proposed a theoretical scheme for high-efficiency quantum relays, developed optical and cold atom interference technology, and realized the basic unit of quantum relays proposed by oneself;
* The implementation of all-optical quantum repeaters has opened up new avenues for building long-distance all fiber quantum networks;
* Developed space light field modulation and new optical trap trapping technology, extended the regulation technology of ultracold fermions to strontium atoms, and developed a high-performance pre cooled collimated beam source.
* Successfully constructed the "Tianyuan" quantum simulator for solving the Fermi Hubble model of ultracold atoms, which has verified the antiferromagnetic phase transition in the system for the first time with simulation capabilities beyond classical computers. This marks a milestone in China's second stage of quantum computing research.
Research Directions/Fields:
Ultra cold atomic quantum simulation
Physics of Ultra Cold Atoms in Space
Multiphoton entanglement
Major Honors and Awards
2015 the First Prize in China's State Natural Science Award (3/5)
2024 Achievement in Asia Award
2023 New Cornerstone Investigator
2019 Xplorer Prize
2019 APS Fellow
2018 Optica (former OSA) Fellow
2016 Tan Kah Kee Young Scientist Award in Math. & Phys
2016 IUPAP Young Scientist Award (AMO)
2014 Top-ten Young Researcher Award from the Chinese Academy of Science
2013 Outstanding Young Scholar Award from Qiushi Sci. & Tech. Foundation
2013 Fresnel Prize for fundamental aspects from the European Physical Society
2011 Youth Thousand Talent from “Recruitment Program of Global Experts”
Representative Publications
1. Hou-Ji Shao et al. Antiferromagnetic phase transition in a 3D fermionic Hubbard model. Nature 632, 267-272(2024).
2. Xi Li et al. Observation and quantification of the pseudogap in unitary Fermi gases. Nature 626, 288–293 (2024).
3. Jie Li et al. A strontium lattice clock with both stability and uncertainty below 5*10^-18. Metrologia 61, Number 1(2024)
4. Xi Li et al. Second sound attenuation near quantum criticality. Science 375, 528–533 (2022).
5. Yu-Ao Chen et al. An integrated space-to-ground quantum communication network over 4,600 kilometres. Nature 589, 214–219 (2021).