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Guo Guangcan, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
A reply letter from Qian Xuesen's handwriting
Officially donated to
University of Science and Technology of China
The letter is qian Xuesen, a famous Chinese scientist
A reply letter to Academician Guo Guangcan
The letter discusses the issue of quantum information technology
And proposed
"China should unify its national forces
Tackling the technical problems of quantum information systems"
Guo Guangcan said:
"That letter was when we set off
An important request"
That day
Named after Academician Guo
"China Optical Society
Guo Guangcan Optics Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award"
Formally established
Guo Guangcan is the pioneer and founder of quantum informatics in China, and has been committed to "making quantum computers go out of the laboratory and truly serve human society" for many years.
In 2020, Guo Guangcan led the Origin Quantum team originating from the Key Laboratory of Quantum Information of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to officially launch the domestically engineered superconducting quantum computer "Origin Wuyuan", equipped with a 6-bit quantum chip "Kquafather" KFC6-130 assembled, using a superconducting solution, and providing quantum computing services to global users through the Origin Quantum Cloud, competing with international giants such as IBM, Google, and Intel.
"The achievement of these achievements is full of Mr. Qian Xuesen's encouragement." Recently, at the University of Science and Technology of China, Guo Guangcan showed reporters a reply letter written to him by Qian Xuesen 23 years ago.
For more than 20 years, this letter has inspired him to devote himself to the cause of quantum information technology, make outstanding achievements in quantum computing, quantum secure communication and other fields, and cultivate a large number of local "quantum talent teams".
1
Let more people understand quantum information
In 1960, Guo Guangcan, a native of Hui'an, Fujian Province, was admitted to the University of Science and Technology of China and became the third student of the university. "At that time, schools taught young people that they must have responsibility, to take on the major problems that the country needs to solve, to be indomitable, and to climb the peak." The young Guo Guangcan's heart planted the seeds of dedication to the country.
By chance, Guo Guangcan came into contact with quantum optics, which he was extremely interested in. "The quantum world is too mysterious, strange, and full of temptations."
In 1981, Guo Guangcan was sent to the University of Toronto in Canada as a visiting scholar. That same year, Nobel laureate in physics Richard Feynman first proposed the concept of a quantum computer. "At that time, there was a blank space in China, and when they went abroad, they found that they had been studying for 20 years." Guo Guangcan was secretly determined to promote the development of quantum optics in China.
After returning to China, Guo Guangcan actively promoted the research of domestic quantum optics. In 1984, he convened scholars and experts interested in quantum optics across the country and held the first domestic quantum optics conference in Chuzhou Langya Mountain. Subsequently, he wrote the first book of "Quantum Optics" in China and systematically taught quantum optics courses in China for the first time.
Many researchers because they read this book and listened to Guo Guangcan's class, and began to enter the field of quantum optics.
In the 1990s, when quantum information as an emerging discipline quietly sprouted in the international academic community, Guo Guangcan was keenly aware that the field of quantum information will be an important part of the country's future development strategy and will certainly play a huge role in national development. Despite the opposition of many, he chose this path without hesitation. "At that time, there was no funding, and many people were not optimistic about us, but we just believed that this field would blossom and bear fruit, even if we touched a lot of nails, we would go on."
2
Qian Xuesen wrote back to encourage
In 1998, Guo Guangcan began to organize the Xiangshan Science Conference on "Quantum Communication and Quantum Computing". The formalities were all done, but one thing was worried. According to the custom, every Xiangshan meeting is presided over by a famous scientist. Where did this "famous scientist" go? Guo Guangcan remembered Qian Xuesen. In a letter to Qian Xuesen, he invited Qian Xuesen to preside over the Xiangshan Science Conference on "Quantum Communication and Quantum Computing".
Unexpectedly, soon, Guo Guangcan received a reply from Mr. Qian Xuesen.
Unfortunately, due to his 87-year-old age and "limited mobility", Mr. Qian "can no longer participate in any meetings". In this regard, Guo Guangcan was somewhat apologetic, "If I had known about Elder Qian's physical condition, I would not have issued such an invitation."
After more than twenty years, Guo Guangcan was still impressed when recalling the details of the letter to reporters. Qian Xuesen said in the letter: "I agree with what you said about the need to unify the national forces to overcome the technical problems of quantum information systems. This matter concerns the country. ”
3
Deeply engaged in the field of quantum information
"This letter gives me a lot of encouragement and makes me think about a way out." Guo Guangcan said.
In 1999, with the support of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guo Guangcan established the Open Laboratory of Quantum Communication and Quantum Computing at the University of Science and Technology of China. In 2001, the laboratory was officially approved by the Chinese Academy of Sciences as the Key Laboratory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the full name is "Key Laboratory of Quantum Information of the Chinese Academy of Sciences", becoming the first provincial and ministerial key laboratory in the field of quantum information in China.
In 2001, Guo Guangcan applied for the first "973" project in the field of quantum information in China. He gathered together the main teams in this field in China - more than a dozen participating units, more than fifty backbone researchers. This team has become an important team of China's quantum information research forces in the future.
In 2003, Professor Guo Guangcan was elected as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and won the "He Liang He Li" award.
Guo Guangcan led the team to work hard in the field of quantum information, pioneering and innovating, and made a series of world-class original innovative scientific research achievements in the fields of quantum computing and quantum secure communication, and also cultivated a scientific research team with pioneering and innovative capabilities.
Today, the context of the "major national events" mentioned in Qian Xuesen's letter and the hearts and minds of generations of scientists has become clearer.
In particular, Guo Guangcan is pleased, "I see young people growing, becoming talents and flourishing in the field of quantum information, and I believe that they can create a better future for quantum information."
Transferred from Guangming Daily
Source: Xinhua Net