Fang Chen, a struggler, Fang Chen, Researcher of the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences -strive to explore unknown areas

Pen, paper and computer are three essential things on the desk of Fang Chen's desk of the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. As the theoretical physicist, his main work is to use a pen to derive some equations on the paper, and occasionally use a computer to assist some operations.

In the eyes of outsiders, such a job seems to be boring, but Fang Chen is happy.

In the field of coagulating physical theory research for 10 years, the results are bright

As the theoretical physicist, Fang Chen's main attack in the condensing state system can bring theory.

Fang Chen said: "'Concrete" actually includes our common solids, such as metal, insulators, semiconductors.' Topology 'is a mathematical concept. Change the nature. When the "topology", this mathematical concept was introduced into the field of physics, on the one hand, it promoted the development of basic physics research, and on the other hand, it also promoted a large number of novel topology materials. "

For 10 years in the field of coagulating physical theory research, Fang Chen's transcript is very dazzling:

In 2017, the theory of independently proposed the border between topology insulation is one of the earliest scholars in the world to propose a high -level topology;

In 2018, for the first time in the world, the complete correspondence between symmetry and topology of solid energy band and the topology invariability, and established a "topology dictionary".

Based on the above two contributions, the Asia -Pacific Physics Society awarded him the "Yang Zhenning Award".

In 2019, Fang Chen and the collaborators combined with the topological dictionary and computing physical means, for the first time predicted more than 8,000 topology materials, and established the first international topology computing database. The theoretical discovery of a large number of topological quantum materials has changed the research paradigm of topology quantum materials, and provides many clues and opportunities for future experimental research. The results were selected by the academicians of the two hospitals as the top ten scientific and technological progress of China in 2019.

"Think about the problem from the heart, you can always think of things that others can't think of"

The strong interest in physics originated from a physical Olympic training course signed up in Fangchen High School.

"At that time, I found that I particularly liked to do those topics, and I felt very interesting." Fang Chen said, "The basic principles of physics seem to be simple, but to truly understand and solve specific problems, you still need to practice and repeat it. Try to figure out. In fact, this process does not need to enter a lot of intellectual information for assistance, just need to think of the principle itself. "

Out of love for physics, Fang Chen applied for the Department of Physics of Peking University during the college entrance examination, and was eventually admitted as expected. In the years in college, he studied and studied more hard, and began to really enter the physical world, and felt the profoundness of physics.

Compared to physical experiments, Fang Chen prefers research and pondering theory. He likes to keep looking at the textbooks and carefully think of the theory in the inside.

Later facts proved that this kind of thinking habit did help him in scientific research. "As long as you can really calm down and think about the problem from the heart, you can always think of things that others can't think of."

After graduating from undergraduate, Fang Chen chose to go to the United States to further study and studies, and successively completed the study and work of doctoral and post -doctoral stages at Purdue University, Princeton University, and MIT.

"Independent research ability is important, and cooperation is equally important"

Fang Chen said: "From the day of going abroad, I have never thought about staying in the United States, and I have always wanted to return to the motherland one day."

With this firm belief, Fang Chen studied while studying, while paying attention and waiting for the opportunity to return to China.

One day in 2015, Fang Chen had just ended his post -doctoral work at Princeton University, and the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences issued an invitation to him.

Fang Chen said, "I quickly agreed. But because at that time, I was not so confident in my work independence, so I proposed to the Institute of Physics that I hope to learn more for a while in the United States."

In this way, Fang Chen entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and continued to be a postdoctoral, where he began to do some research work independently. Fang Chen believes that postdoctoral post -doctors are a very important test for young scholars. "This period is not only to complete some work under the guidance of the mentor, but also pay attention to cultivating its own independent research ability, because after that, the research group must be established independently." Fang Chen said, "We must be able to complete the problems given by others from others. , Until I put forward and solve the problem independently. "

After returning to the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, with the strong support in the institute, Fang Chen obtained a series of important scientific research breakthroughs in just 6 years.

"The achievement of achievements must be attributed to the strong cooperation of the team." Fang Chen said, "Independent research ability is very important, and cooperation is equally important. After all, a person's wisdom is limited, and the communication of thought can often collide with the unexpected 'spark. '. "

This year is the tenth year of Fang Chen's theoretical direction of research topology. "Next, try to go to another research direction." He said, "Mr. Yang Zhenning once said that physicists should change to a direction every 7 years. At present, many important issues in the direction of topology can have the theory of theory. I have been solved almost, I should go to another research direction to open up, I hope to make some good results. "

(Source: People's Daily reporter Wu Yuehui)

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