
Professor ZHANG, Zhendong
Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, HKU
B.S. HUST; Ph.D. UChicago
- [javascript protected email address]
- 3910 2164
- 2559 9152
- Room 311D, CYM Physics Building, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
Current Research
Experimental atomic, molecular and optical physics:This research lab focuses on the preparation, manipulation and detection of ultracold neutral atoms, molecules and ions using laser light, external electric and magnetic fields and high finesse multimode optical cavities. Such quantum experiments inside ultra-high vacuum chambers provide a pristine and versatile platform for the exploration of quantum phases of matter and their dynamics at mesoscopic scale with the precision of atomic physics. The preparation of atoms and molecules close to absolute zero temperature also offers unique opportunities for discovering laws governing ultracold chemistry, where quantum superposition and entanglement dominates the reaction process. Recent research includes the realization of the transition from an atomic to a molecular Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), observation of the associated quantum many-body chemical reaction process and novel quantum dynamics in periodically driven atomic BECs.
Research Interest
Ultracold atomic
molecular
cavity QED experiments
Representative Publications
“Many-body chemical reactions in a quantum degenerate gas”, Z. Zhang, S. Nagata, K.X. Yao, C. Chin, Nature Physics, 19, 1466-1470 (2023).
“Domain-wall dynamics in Bose-Einstein condensates with synthetic gauge fields”, K.X. Yao, Z. Zhang, C. Chin, Nature, 602, 68-72 (2022).
“Transition from an atomic to a molecular Bose-Einstein condensate”, Z. Zhang, L. Chen, K.X. Yao, C. Chin, Nature, 592, 708-711(2021).
“Pattern formation in a driven Bose-Einstein condensate”, Z. Zhang, K.X. Yao, L. Feng, J. Hu, C. Chin, Nature Physics, 16, 652-656 (2020).
“Quantum simulation of Unruh radiation”, J. Hu, L. Feng, Z. Zhang, C. Chin, Nature Physics, 15, 785-789 (2019).
Awards and Honours
2023 | | | Outstanding dissertation award from International Organization of Chinese Physicists and Astronomers (OCPA) |
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2021 | | | Quantum Creators Prize from Uchicago |
2020 | | | Yodh Prize from Uchicago |