Quantum Many-Body & Numerics

A recent study, led by Professor Zi Yang MENG and co-authored by his PhD student Menghan SONG of HKU Department of Physics, in collaboration with researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Yale University, University of California, Santa Barbara, Ruhr-University Bochum and TU Dresden, has unravelled some of the secrets concealed within the deconfined quantum critical points. Their findings, recently published in the prestigious journal Science Advances, push the boundaries of modern physics and offer a fresh perspective on how quantum matter operates at these enigmatic junctures.

On April 16, 2025, Mr. Hongyu Lu marked a pivotal achievement by successfully defending his Ph.D. thesis, entitled "Numerical studies of fractional quantum anomalous Hall states: Emergent forms, collective excitations, and phase transitions". His clear and compelling presentation of his research findings from his time at HKU, along with his confident responses to impromptu questions, earned high praise from the Examining Committee, which included Prof. Xi Dai from HKUST, and Profs. Wang Yao and Dong-Keun Ki from HKU. Congratulations to Dr. Hongyu Lu! We wish him continued success and look forward to his contributions as an emerging leader in theoretical condensed matter physics. Continue reading

A collaboration between Mr. Ting-Tung Wang, Mr. Menghan Song, and Professor Zi Yang Meng from the Department of Physics at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) together with their collaborators Liuke Lyu and William WITCZAK-KREMPA from the University of Montreal has recently developed a novel algorithm in quantum physics known as ‘entanglement microscopy’ that enables visualization and mapping of this extraordinary phenomenon at a microscopic scale. Their study was published in a recent issue of Nature Communications. Using the algorithm, one can uncover the hidden structures of quantum matter, revealing insights that could transform technology and deepen the understanding of the universe. Continue reading

In this interview with HKU science editor, Dr Pavel Toropov, Professor Meng explains why AI is now indispensable in quantum physics research ­– by allowing us to circumvent the need for enormous computational complexity, AI can help to make breakthroughs and in the process help us to understand better of mother nature and ourselves. This leads to discoveries of quantum materials whose properties, such as superconductivity and entanglement, can change the world. The technology may be cutting edge, but the principles involved, says Prof Meng, go back to ancient greek maxim - know thyself, and the whole thing is similar to playing mahjong. Click here for the interview.

In 2024, Artificial Intelligence (AI) achieved a remarkable milestone by winning the Nobel Prizes in both Physics and Chemistry. This unprecedented event sparked a significant debate about the role of AI in revolutionizing traditional methods and paradigms in scientific research. In light of these developments, FanPu (返朴) saw it as an opportune moment to initiate a deep discussion on this topic. They invited Prof. Meng to join a live forum with Prof. Pei Wang, the vice chair of the Artificial General Intelligence Society from Temple University, Prof. Yuqing Lou, a well-known astrophysicist from the Department of Physics at Tsinghua University, and Prof. Xu Li, a biochemistry and structural biologist from the University of Science and Technology of China, to share their thoughts on where AI will take science and scientists.