Chen-Ning Yang: A Trailblazing Theoretical Physicist
Early Life and Education:
Chen-Ning Yang, born on October 1, 1922, in Hefei, Anhui, China, is a renowned Chinese-American theoretical physicist. Raised in a scholarly family, Yang’s father, Yang Ko-Chuen, was a mathematician and his mother, Luo Meng-Hua, was a teacher.
Yang exhibited exceptional mathematical abilities from a young age. In 1938, he enrolled at the National Southwestern Associated University in Kunming. However, due to the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the university moved to Changsha, and Yang continued his studies in physics.
In 1942, Yang transferred to Tsinghua University in Beijing, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1944. He then pursued graduate studies at the University of Chicago, obtaining his Ph.D. in physics under the guidance of the influential physicist Enrico Fermi in 1948.
Collaboration with Tsung-Dao Lee:
After completing his Ph.D., Yang collaborated with fellow physicist Tsung-Dao Lee, whom he had met at the University of Chicago. The two scientists made significant contributions to the field of particle physics. In 1956, they proposed the groundbreaking theory that the weak nuclear force, responsible for processes like beta decay, violates parity conservation.
This discovery challenged the prevailing notion that the fundamental laws of physics should remain unchanged when reflected in a mirror (parity symmetry). Yang and Lee’s work, known as the Yang-Mills theory, earned them the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1957, making Yang the first Chinese laureate in this category.
Academic Career:
After receiving the Nobel Prize, Yang continued his academic career. He held positions at several prestigious institutions, including the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, where he worked with Albert Einstein. Yang also served as a professor at Stony Brook University in New York from 1965 until his retirement in 1999.
Throughout his career, Yang made significant contributions to various areas of theoretical physics, including statistical mechanics, condensed matter physics, and gauge theory.
Later Life and Legacy:
Chen-Ning Yang became a naturalized American citizen in 1964. His contributions to science were not limited to theoretical physics; he played a role in fostering scientific collaboration between China and the United States.
In addition to his scientific pursuits, Yang has been involved in promoting education and scientific research in China. He served as the director of the Institute for Theoretical Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and played a crucial role in establishing the Tsinghua University–MIT Center for Modern Physics.
Chen-Ning Yang’s impact extends beyond his pioneering work in theoretical physics. He remains an influential figure in the global scientific community, advocating for international collaboration and the advancement of scientific knowledge. His life and achievements stand as a testament to the transformative power of curiosity, intellect, and dedication to the pursuit of understanding the fundamental principles of the universe.
