Zhang Shouyi: There is still a gap between China and foreign countries in quantum computing

Produced|Scientists said column group

Author | Netease Technology Cui Yuxian

【Who is he】

Zhang Shouyi is a "prodigy boy" who jumps directly from high school to self-study from junior high school to Fudan University. Under the tutelage of Yang Zhenning, he is considered to have won the Nobel Prize. It is only a matter of time; he created a new field of topological insulators and discovered the "quantum spin Hall effect". He took all heavyweight awards in the physics community; was hired as a professor of physics at Stanford University and became one of the youngest tenured professors at Stanford University; Zhang Shouyi was also very business-minded and founded “Dan Hua Capital”.

Zhang Shouyi also won the 2017 People's Republic of China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award.

[Wonderful remarks]

1. In such a vast area of ​​science, how to find a good topic is a scientist who needs a good strategic vision. It's like sailing in the sea or a helmsman.

2. China has paid more and more attention to science. Scientists have also received more respect. In fact, the foundation of Chinese education has been very good, and China has invested more and more in scientific instruments, and experimental science will develop rapidly.

3, but many domestic scientific experiments or to follow suit, such as foreign countries have done N, he did N+1, rather than 0 to 1.

4. Quantum computing is a strategically high field, and we have come up with a brand new road in this field. Angel particles will have a revolutionary impact on quantum computing and will be a breakthrough from 0 to 1.

5. A new direction we are now doing is to use artificial intelligence to predict new materials and consider introducing China for the benefit of the entire human race.

6. I am a scientist born in China. Although I work at Stanford, I always want to do a good job of scientific bridge work.

Note “Angel Particles” is Professor Zhang Shouyi's naming of the discovery of the chiral Majorana Fermi. The discovery was published in the journal Science in the form of a thesis. The first author, He Qinglin, named the particle as Tai Chi Particle.


【text】

After discovering "Angel Particles", Zhang Shouqi and his team did not stop the study. Recently, Zhang Shouyi returned to China to receive the "2017 People's Republic of China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award" at the Great Hall of the People and accepted an interview with NetEase. Prof. Zhang Shouyi not only described the significance of the award and the future direction of cooperation with domestic scientists, but also revealed the leading scientific research projects in the laboratory: one on quantum computing; the other on predicting new materials.

Quantum computing is "the core of the future technological revolution." Not only domestic and foreign giants of the industry, Google, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Ali, Huawei and other investment resources R & D, the country has invested heavily in research and development. From the United States "Science" magazine once wrote that the technology giants have invested tens of millions of dollars in quantum computing research and development, and chose a different quantum computing technology.

“In the international arena, quantum computers have been a very concerned research topic and a strategic commanding point, but everyone is still in the direction of touch.” Zhang Shouyi said.

In the current quantum computing process, one qubit is very fragile. If you want to obtain a truly useful qubit, you need ten or more than twenty qubits to correct the error. "In this case, there is a lack of scalability." Zhang Shouyi explained, "But the 'angel particles' we discovered will bring a breakthrough of 0 to 1 to the entire quantum computing field."

Zhang Shouyi believes that: "Angel Particles" principle of topological quantum computing, a quantum bit can not make mistakes themselves, can run, will have a huge revolutionary impact on quantum computing.

When "Angel Particles" was discovered, Professor Zhang Shouyi said in an interview with NetEase and other media that Majorana Fermi (later named "Angel Particles") was half of the usual particles, and the usual qubits were very fragile. It is also the core fatal injury. Angel particles can split a qubit into two smaller units. As a result, traditional noise is extremely difficult to affect the two Majorana fermions in the same way, destroying the stored quantum information. Compared to traditional storage methods, such as electron spins, superconducting flux, and photon polarization, the topological qubits stored on the two Majorana fermions that are far away are inherently extremely stable.

“Angel Particles” not only subverts from the conceptual level, but also corrects the theory that classical philosophy must have the opposite, and yin must have the theory of positivity; it also subverts from the physical level, and the most basic quantum unit is divided into two halves. Stability, science will go to technology.

According to Zhang Shouyi, he recently established a topological quantum physics center at Stanford University and is planning to become an experimental center in China, realizing the theoretical assumption on the Chinese land.

In addition to quantum computing, Zhang Shouyi has recently made a very new direction: use artificial intelligence to predict new materials.

Materials play a very important role in the entire human race. Every major historical period of mankind is named after a material: the Paleolithic Age, the Neolithic Age, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, and later the Silicon Age. However, almost all materials in the past were discovered in an accidental laboratory situation. For example, the topological insulator material was an unprecedented discovery in the entire human civilization, but the discovery of this material was accidentally discovered in the laboratory.

The discovery of such materials is inefficient and costly. However, Zhang Shouyi said that artificial intelligence can be used to change the methodology and use theory to guide the progress of the experiment and discover useful materials.

"Once this is done, we can not only predict some useful inorganic materials, we are more likely to predict that some organic materials, even small molecules, can use it for precision medical treatment." Zhang Shouyi excitedly said.

In the above two major scientific research directions, Zhang Shouyi will bring it back to China and cooperate with China. This is the feeling of Zhang Shouyi, a scientist born in China, but also because of the increasing influence of Chinese science on the international scene.

Zhang Shouyi stated that science is a misunderstanding and he hopes he can do a good job of bridge work for the development of Chinese and foreign science and technology.

This is precisely why the country will award the "People's Republic of China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award 2017."

In fact, in addition to cooperation in the direction of scientific research, Zhang Shouyi has also established Danhua Capital, which is in line with the country's "double creation" and wants to establish a successful model for "production, study and research."

"The word 'Danhua' is meant to bring Stanford and China together in close cooperation," said Zhang Shouyi.

The following are some of the records that NetEase Technology interviewed Zhang Shouyi:

Netease Technology: You just won the 2017 China National International Science and Technology Cooperation Award. Do you have any thoughts on this award?

Zhang Shouyi: This brewing for almost a year, the beginning of the New Year each year is a relatively major project of the party and the state leadership. The country now pays more and more attention to science and technology. This is China's highest recognition award for foreign citizens.

A common phenomenon in China now is that if there is a fixed target, we can always focus our efforts on conquering. In our field, I have pioneered the study of topological insulators in the international field. In the absence of special attention at the time, scientists from our country were able to enter this field.

Therefore, many of the prizes that our country has sent to our own scientists are in the two major areas of topological insulators and quantum anomalous Hall effects. This is also what I opened up in the international field in 2006 and 2007. I happened to be in China in 2009 when I came to China to do a “Thousand-person Plan.” This is a Class B, which is an access-based “Thousand-person Plan.” Therefore, in this process, we can bring some of the most cutting-edge issues to the country, so that our domestic science and technology workers have come to the forefront.

So, in general, the scientific achievements China has achieved in the entire world in the past few years are related to cooperation with foreign countries. I am also very honored to receive this award this time, and I also recognize the contribution I made in this area.

NetEase science and technology: "Thousands of people plan" scientists actually quite a lot. What is the reason given to you? Because of the topological insulator?

Zhang Shouyi: Yes, the discovery of topological insulators and quantum anomalous Hall effect has made our scientific work in China come to the forefront of the entire world.

China’s future development in the entire scientific and technological field will require scientists with strategic vision. Therefore, in the entire scientific field, if there is a goal, we have a scientific methodology to do; within a broad field of science, how to find a good topic? The navigation of the sea depends on the helmsman.

We are now more and more optimistic about China. One is that after our “Thousand-Year Plan”, scientists like us can bring some of the most promising research topics to China; in addition, our students can already come China is doing a "thousand youth" plan. In that case, they are rooted in China for scientific research. So I think we Chinese science will continue to advance and go to the international frontier, still very confident.

NetEase science and technology: Do you have any new plans for cooperation with China?

Zhang Shouyi: The future will be closer cooperation. In July 2017, we also announced the discovery of "Angel Particles," which will be a big boost to quantum computers in particular. Now in the international arena, quantum computers have been a very serious research topic, but we have come up with a brand new road. Now in the quantum computer process, a qubit is very fragile. In the usual way, if a qubit is to be made, error correction requires ten or twenty qubits.

This means that ten, twenty error-correcting qubits are needed to serve a truly useful qubit. In this case, the lack of scalability.

But we hope that after using the principles of topological quantum computing, a quantum bit will not make mistakes and it will run. In this case, it will definitely have a huge and revolutionary impact on the whole quantum computing.

Netease Technology: Quantum computing is currently the focus of attention at home and abroad. China has done very well in quantum communication, such as Pan Jianwei. What do you think about the difference between Chinese and foreign quantum computing?

Zhang Shouyi: China has not completely started yet. It has also made a plan for a more traditional quantum computer.

I think these traditional plans are bound to be limited by scalability. We have made great achievements in the field of topological insulators through the cooperation of the past period of time. I also hope that we can continue to work closely with our domestic scientists, continue to move on, and be more able to stand. To the forefront of scientific research.

Netease Technology: So this is an important direction for your future cooperation with China.

Zhang Shouyi: Yes, a major direction. I recently established the Center for Quantum Quantum Physics at Stanford University, and I am now planning to work as an experimental center in China and realize some of our theoretical assumptions on this land in China.

Netease Technology: Will there be some cooperation with universities?

Zhang Shouyi: Yes. In addition to domestic quantum calculations in the United States, some large companies are also studying, which is also a relatively rare. In general, quantum is a relatively basic research. Google is also doing it, Microsoft is doing it, and IBM is doing it, so this is indeed a strategic commanding point. But now in the entire international context, we have put forward a brand-new principle. We think it will eventually become the most successful path. But of course this is through a lot of experimentation.

In addition, China has now invested heavily in scientific instruments. Therefore, as a theoretical scientist, I need a lot of experimental devices.

NetEase science and technology: At present, the entire world, everybody has entered the stage to the research of quantum computation, or there is not a word to describe it. Then where is China?

Zhang Shouyi: I think in general, everyone is still in a stage of touching the direction. At the core, I think it is expandability. As I just said, a qubit requires ten or twenty qubits to correct it. I think this solution is definitely not feasible.

NetEase science and technology: Do you feel that China has a gap between quantum computing and foreign countries?

Zhang Shouyi: There are still gaps in quantum computing.

NetEase science and technology: more gaps are some theoretical gaps or gaps in originality?

Zhang Shouyi: I think there is no new idea. Most of the domestic experiments are basically follow suit, such as foreign countries have done N, he did N+1, rather than 0 to 1. I think our recent discovery of "Angel Particles" will indeed bring a breakthrough of 0 to 1 to the entire field of quantum computing, the most original one.

Netease Technology: This innovation, you choose to do in the country, or is it synchronized abroad?

Zhang Shouyi: Because I can receive many excellent students at Stanford, and I do theory, so many of our theoretical designs are done at Stanford University and abroad. But as I mentioned just now, there is a large amount of domestic investment in scientific instruments and equipment. Therefore, I think basically every idea is based on the cooperation of theoretical work and experimental work.

NetEase science and technology: In addition to quantum computing, there are other plans?

Zhang Shouyi: In addition, in the entire research field, we recently made a very new direction, that is, use artificial intelligence to predict new materials. The discovery of topological insulator materials is unprecedented in the entire human civilization. Past materials were often accidentally discovered in the laboratory, but the materials of topological insulators are theoretically predicted by us. Materials play a very important role for the entire human race. Every major historical period of our humanity is named after a material, such as the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Silicon Age.

However, in the past, all materials were found in almost accidental experimental situations. In this case, they were very ineffective. However, the recent discovery of topological insulators completely changed this methodology, allowing us to use theories to guide the progress of this experiment and to discover these useful materials.

Once this is done, we can not only predict some useful inorganic materials, we are more likely to predict that some organic materials, even small molecules, can use it for precision medical treatment.

Netease Technology: Will it consider introducing China?

Zhang Shouyi: It will also be considered. I feel very much about this feeling. I think the Science and Technology Cooperation Award also represents a very good sign that China is going international. Because the rise of China is certainly an irresistible trend in the world, but often people are worried about the rise of China. However, there can be close cooperation in the field of science and technology because cooperation in science and technology is borderless and the entire science is boundless and boundless. In this way, we will benefit the entire human race in this way.

NetEase science and technology: In addition to feelings in this regard, the domestic scientific research environment will make you feel better?

Zhang Shouyi: Actually, most of my students at Stanford University are from famous universities in China, especially Tsinghua University. So in 2009, I went to Tsinghua University to be a visiting scholar at the Institute of Advanced Studies founded by Mr. Yang Zhenning and I was a distinguished professor. So I think the foundation of Chinese education is actually doing very well. During the entire scientific research process, theoretical physics needs a highly motivated student. Therefore, on this basis, I have also benefited greatly from my visit to China and the exchange of Tsinghua University.

Netease Technology: How do you feel about the atmosphere of science in China today?

Zhang Shouyi: I think everyone is paying more and more attention. There is already a considerable proportion of GDP as a whole, and it is devoted to science. In the whole publicity aspect, it also pays great attention to propaganda for scientists.

There are two other points. One is a brilliant student in China, and the other is a large amount of investment in China's current scientific instruments, which allows us to quickly pass some experimental arguments.

Today's speech also raised this point, that is, to allow scientists to respect the entire society. Now is the time when everyone is most concerned about science.

So at this moment, I also feel that the responsibility is very important. I really want to make this bridge work well. In particular, what China needs most is the part I can contribute. It is now necessary to have a direction that scientific research is based on so many selectable scientific research topics. In the end, we must choose which one is the most capable of bringing the latest knowledge to the entire human race. Can really benefit humanity.

Netease Technology: We know that in addition to scientific research, you also established DanHua Capital.

Zhang Shouyi: Yes, Danhua is actually to cooperate with our country's "double creation." The most needed of our country's "double creation" is to have an example of the success of "production, study, and research". Stanford University is a model of "producing, researching, and researching" that is very successful. Danhua's concept is first of all a triangle, which is "production, study and research." Then there are two large cross-border circles. One is to unite the frontiers of scientific research and investment closely. The other is to establish a bridge between China and the United States.

The establishment of Danhua Capital is closely linked to the fate of our country. This is in line with our country's "double creation" opportunity. So "double creation", now our domestic business model of innovation has actually been quite a lot, but really do cutting-edge technology innovation, and the cutting-edge technology innovation can be converted to a product that can benefit people. In this case, I feel that there is a need for a model of "production, education, research and development."

Stanford University has been very successful in this area. When I was a professor at Stanford University, I also successfully invested in the VMware company, so I was also in response to the "double creation" call and can really cooperate with our country's "double creation." Therefore, the word "Dan Hua" means to closely integrate Stanford and China.

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