The Nobel Prize in Physics for 2022 was jointly awarded to Alain Aspect, John F. Clauser, and Anton Zeilinger.

Anton Zeilinger was appointed Honorary Professor of Nanjing University in 2016. This prestigious appointment led to the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between NJU and the Austrian Academy of Sciences (AAS), fostering collaboration in the field of quantum physics and other related areas.

Anton Zeilinger 

Anton Zeilinger is an eminent Austrian physicist who currently serves as the President of AAS. His significant contributions to quantum physics and quantum information have garnered widespread recognition. In 2014, he was included in the Highly-Cited Researchers list by Thomson Reuters, with his papers cited over 94,000 times.

Throughout his career, Anton Zeilinger has been at the forefront of groundbreaking research in quantum physics and fundamental tests of quantum mechanics, both in theory and practice. Notably, he has played a leading role in conducting quantum interference experiments with neutrons, atoms, and macromolecules. His work has been instrumental in advancing the field of multi-particle entanglement and contributed to the development of the GHZ theorem, which holds fundamental significance in quantum physics.

In an interview, Professor Zeilinger expressed gratitude to all those who have transformed experimental work into theoretical reality. He expressed the hope that winning the Nobel Prize would inspire more young individuals to discover the joy of quantum physics and pursue careers in the field. He also acknowledged that there is still much we have yet to understand about the mysteries of time and space.

Anton Zeilinger and NJU

Anton Zeilinger and Chen Jun, then President of NJU, signed a memorandum of cooperation between NJU and AAS after detailed discussions on cooperation in quantum physics and other fields during Professor Zeilinger’s visit to NJU in 2016.

On the afternoon of November 3, 2016, the ceremony to confer honorary professorship on Professor Zeillinger was held at Gulou campus. Following the honorary professorship ceremony, the Zhongshan Forum Symposium took place, providing a platform for intellectual exchange and academic discourse. Professor Zeilinger delivered a captivating speech titled "From Quantum Physics Mysteries to Quantum Information Technologies," shedding light on the fascinating connections between quantum physics and the advancements in quantum information technologies.

The visit and subsequent events served to strengthen the collaboration between NJU and AAS in the field of quantum physics and promoting scientific cooperation between the two institutions.

Anton Zeilinger in the eyes of the students

The 77-year-old Nobel laureate was the tutor of Ma Xiaosong, now Professor at the School of Physics at NJU, when his did his doctoral degree and postdoctoral research in Austria. Hearing about the thrilling news, he gladly accepted this interview, where he recalled his unforgettable days with Professor Zeilinger.

From 2005 to 2012, Ma Xiaosong spent 7 years of research at the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI) in Vienna. He said Professor Zeilinger is humorous, full of human touch, and is always keenly interested in and curious about fundamental physics. “We often held group meetings in the morning, so we would grab our breakfast and eat as we listened to the reports. The atmosphere is quite relaxing.”

Anton Zeilinger fostered a truly independent and vibrant research environment for his students. According to Ma Xiaosong, the renowned physicist would often invite scholars from various institutions and even different countries to facilitate the exchange of ideas. This created an enriching environment for open discussions and continuous learning. Furthermore, Professor Zeilinger's unwavering support for his students was evident when they encountered challenges during their scientific research endeavors. Professor Ma shared a personal experience, recalling an experiment that commenced in 2008 but faced numerous obstacles and strict environmental requirements, causing its completion to be delayed until 2012. He mentioned a particular setback when their experiment was interrupted from 2010 to 2011 due to sandstorms in the Sahara Desert. Despite the frustration, Professor Zeilinger, who was already in his 60s at the time, traveled to Spain and stood by his students, working tirelessly through the nights to carry out the experiment. His dedication and encouragement left a lasting impression on Ma and his team.

It is worth noting that since Ma joined NJU in 2015, his research group and Professor Zeilinger's team have maintained a long-standing and fruitful collaboration in areas such as optical quantum state manipulation and quantum communication. Their joint efforts have yielded numerous groundbreaking achievements in various academic fields, establishing an international reputation for their pioneering work.

The partnership between Professor Ma and Professor Zeilinger exemplifies the power of collaboration and mentorship in driving scientific progress. Their commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and their shared accomplishments stand as a testament to the significance of fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating research environment.

Translator: Zhou Meiyan

Editors: Chen Xing, He Yao