Mass lecture by Prof. Duncan Haldane - Outstanding scientist and recipient of 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics

22/07/2022

In response to the United Nations Resolution “The International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development 2022”, on July 19, 2022, a mass lecture by Prof. Duncan Haldane, an outstanding scientist and recipient of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics, was held at the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH). The event was co-organized by USTH, the International Centre for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE), Vingroup Innovation Foundation (VINIF), the Institute of Physics under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), the Institute of Engineering Physics (the Hanoi University of Science and Technology), the Faculty of Physics (the Hanoi National University of Education), and the Faculty of Physics (the University of Natural Sciences, Vietnam National University, Hanoi). In addition, the event was also broadcast live to the Francophone community through the zoom platform with the support of the Francophone University Foundation (AUF).

Overview of the event

The mass lecture was entitled "Topological Quantum Matter, Entanglement, and the Second Quantum Revolution". Using the concepts of topological geometry, a branch of mathematics, scientists have studied unusual states of matter, such as superconductors, superfluids or magnetic thin films. The success of these new studies allows for great strides to be made in understanding the secrets of matter and opens up a new perspective of discovery in the fields of electronics and materials science.

USTH Rector, Mr. Jean-Marc Lavest speaks at the event

Speaking at the event, Mr. Jean-Marc Lavest, Rector of USTH, said that USTH's goal is to become a research university with missions in conducting research at the international level, training young talents in the field of science and technology to contribute to the sustainable development of Vietnam. To inspire young scientists and students, USTH always tries to invite top scientists to the university. Previously, USTH had welcomed 3 scientists from the College de France to conduct mass lectures at the university. Welcoming Prof. Duncane Haldane's mass lecture at USTH this time sent a message about the important role of basic scientific research. Mr. Jean-Marc Lavest added he believed that technological solutions are developed based on solid foundations of basic science. Each discovery of basic science opens a new door, helping people to better understand the universe, as well as showing us the vast scope of what we do not know.

Prof. Duncan Haldane shares his ideas at the event

Speaking to more than 200 scientists and students at USTH, Prof. Duncan Haldane shared a lot of academic content related to Topological quantum matter, basic physics knowledge, hot issues in modern physics research, quantum mechanics when electrons move in magnetic fields. Through the mass lectures, Prof. Duncan Haldane conveyed the message to science enthusiasts, that as we deepen our understanding of quantum mechanics, the ability to find new materials will emerge, the ability to discover new things related to quantum mechanics, from there, helping people have new thoughts in the process of researching this field.

During the lecture, Prof. Duncan Haldane also shared about the initiative that helped him and some colleagues to win the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics, which was the phenomenon of topological phase transition and topological phase in matter. His research work was written in 1988, but it took a long time to be accepted by the world's scientists. Initially, this work met with mixed opinions from the world scientific community, some even thought it was absurd. However, he and his colleagues still stood firm, constantly collaborating with and accepting criticism of the scientific community until the day it was proved to be true.'

Prof. Duncan Haldane answers questions from students and scientists

Prof. Duncan Haldane said science solves many problems of society. Young people may believe that there are many problems of the world that have not been discovered by science and this is an opportunity for you. Vietnam is a young and dynamic country. Vietnamese students are well-trained at school and have good qualifications in the fields of math, physics, and chemistry, so Vietnam's basic science will be able to develop further in the future.

Translated by Phuong Huyen
Link to Vietnamese version

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