Recently, Prof. Xian-Tu He, China's theoretical physicist, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, researcher of the Institute of Applied Physics and Computational Mathematics of Beijing, the first dean of the Faculty of Science in the new Zhejiang University merged from four universities, and a year of 1962 theoretical physics alumnus of Zhejiang University, received the 2019 Edward Teller Award at the International Conference on Inertial Fusion Sciences and Applications (IFSA) held in Osaka, Japan. French scientist Professor Patrick Mora and others also carried off a prize.

Standing on the podium, Prof. He expressed humbly that the prize belongs to the collective, "I claim the award representing our country."

Half-life efforts in laser fusion

Xian-Tu He was awarded this honor for his outstanding contributions to laser-driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and high energy density physics for years.

The so-called "laser-driven inertial confinement fusion" is a way to achieve controlled nuclear fusion. Research in this field reflects the technological level and comprehensive strength of a country. At the time, the United States, the European Union, France (individually), Russia, Japan, etc., were racing against each other to develop their understanding and research on ICF.

On the contrary, China's ICF research foundation is completely weak. Yet, under the leadership of Xian-Tu He, China's ICF research broke the western technical blockade, smashed a series of key scientific and technical difficulties, set up China's independent ICF research system, and gained significant advances in indirect drive and direct drive out of thermonuclear neutrons.

In recent years, he has also proposed a new hybrid drive ignition model different from the existing ICF ignition path in the world, which has drawn the attention of international counterparts.

A Lifetime contribution to the country filled with glories

Prof. Xian-Tu He was born in 1937 in an ordinary family in Zhenhai County, Zhejiang Province. At the age of 25, he graduated from the Physics Department of Zhejiang University. He was supposed to work in the school as a teaching assistant. However, he suddenly received a notice in November and was assigned to "a crucial national organization" in Beijing.

For the sake of confidentiality, the wording on the transfer order is very vague, and the organization stated seems to be not in consistence with the major studied by Xian-Tu He. Still, in the face of the country's call, Xian-Tu He did not hesitate to report for duty in Beijing on time. He was admitted to the Nuclear Weapons Institute and began a marvelous life of destiny after a long and rigorous review for several months.

Prof. Xian-Tu He constantly adjusted the research direction according to the needs of the country in the decades of scientific research, conducted in-depth research, and made unremitting efforts, and earned outstanding achievements in every research direction.

The Committee for Small Body Nomenclature of the International Astronomical Union named the asteroid numbered 079286 "Xian-Tu He Star" on September 25, 2018. He then stood on the podium of the Edward Taylor Award on September 26, 2019. The name "Xian-Tu He" is extremely brilliant in the sky and among us.

Executive Editor: Ke Ye

Translation: Ke Ye, Wenjin Chen