Centennial Nuclear Power | "I am willing to dedicate my life to the country!" - In commemoration of the 116th anniversary of Wang Ganchang's birth

Wang Ganchang is an outstanding nuclear physicist in my country. He proposed an experimental plan to verify neutrinos and led the establishment of the Luoxueshan Cosmic Ray Experiment Station in Yunnan, making China's cosmic ray research an international leader. At the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, the research team he led discovered the anti-sigma negative hyperon. He proposed the idea of ​​laser inertial confinement nuclear fusion and obtained experimental proof. He made outstanding contributions to the development of China's first atomic bomb and the first hydrogen bomb. In 1999, he was posthumously awarded the "Two Bombs and One Satellite" Medal of Merit by the State.

May 28, 2023 is the 116th anniversary of Wang Ganchang’s birth. Let us remember him together!

Get in touch with physics and set sail on the ocean of learning
Wang Ganchang was born on May 28, 1907 in Changshu County, Jiangsu Province. His father, Wang Yiren, was a famous local Chinese medicine practitioner. Wang Ganchang lost his father at the age of 3, entered a private school at the age of 6, and transferred to Shaxi Primary School in Taicang County at the age of 8. His mother died when he was 13. In 1924, Wang Ganchang was admitted to Tsinghua University and chose to study physics. He became a favorite student of Professor Ye Qisun, a pioneer of modern physics in my country and the head of the Department of Physics at Tsinghua University.

Wang Ganchang on Tsinghua campus

In 1926, the "March 18" tragedy broke out, and Wang Ganchang participated in the parade and rally. Afterwards, Professor Ye said to his students sadly: "If we want our country to not be bullied by foreigners, we can only rely on science! Only science can save our nation..." Professor Ye's patriotic passion deeply infected Wang Ganchang, and from then on, "saving the country through science" became the most important thing in his life.

In 1928, the famous physicist Professor Wu Youxun came to Tsinghua University to teach. Professor Wu's "Modern Physics" introduced Wang Ganchang to the magical world of experimental nuclear physics. In 1929, Wang Ganchang graduated from Tsinghua University. He was one of only four students in the first graduating class of the Department of Physics.

In 1930, in order to pursue further studies, he was admitted to the Jiangsu Province government-funded graduate school and went to the University of Berlin in Germany to study for a master's degree, under the tutelage of the famous nuclear physicist Professor Lise Meitner. In the second year after Wang Ganchang arrived at the University of Berlin, the "September 18th" Incident broke out. The Japanese invasion, the suffering and humiliation of the motherland and the people once again hurt him. He secretly made up his mind to adjust his study plan in time and prepare to return to China in advance to save the country through science and save the nation from peril.

At the end of 1933, Wang Ganchang received his doctorate from the University of Berlin. In 1934, he resolutely embarked on the road back to his motherland, which was filled with smoke of war. He first served as a professor in the Department of Physics at Shandong University, and later as a professor and dean of the Department of Physics at Zhejiang University.

Major discovery, bringing glory to the country

In 1940, Wang Ganchang moved with Zhejiang University to Zunyi, Guizhou, and then moved to Meitan County, 75 kilometers away from Zunyi. During this period, he read articles by American scientists on the detection of "neutrinos", carefully analyzed and studied the weaknesses and shortcomings of their plans, and conceived his own unique detection plan. In 1941, he wrote "A Suggestion on the Detection of Neutrinos", but because the "Chinese Journal of Physics" could not publish it due to the war, Wang Ganchang had to send the article to the authoritative American journal "Physical Review". In early 1942, the article was officially published. A few months later, American scientist Allen conducted a K-layer electron capture experiment according to Wang Ganchang's suggestion and obtained positive results. This experiment is also called the "Wang Ganchang-Allen Experiment". In 1956, American scientists Frederick Reines and Cohen observed a large number of neutrinos using Wang Ganchang's detection method and won the Nobel Prize in Physics. Wang Ganchang's experimental plan to verify the existence of neutrinos not only made a key contribution to capturing neutrinos, but also won honor for his suffering motherland and made him famous overseas.

In 1950, Wang Ganchang was invited by Qian Sanqiang to transfer from the Department of Physics of Zhejiang University to the Institute of Modern Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In 1954, he led the establishment of the Luoxueshan Cosmic Ray Experiment Station in Yunnan, which made China's cosmic ray research enter the international advanced ranks. In 1955, Wang Ganchang was elected as a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (academician). In 1956, Wang Ganchang represented China to join the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, the Soviet Union. The team led by him was the first to discover the anti-sigma negative hyperon, filling the gap in the antimatter particle family and shocking the world.

Wang Ganchang (right) with Blokintsev (center), director of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, and others

However, at this time, Wang Ganchang, who had attracted much attention and expectations from the international physics community, suddenly disappeared from people's sight. This disappearance lasted for 17 years...

Hiding their identities, developing two bombs

In 1961, Liu Jie, Minister of the Second Ministry of Machine Building, conveyed to Wang Ganchang the decision of the Party Central Committee on developing nuclear weapons and invited him to participate in the development of the atomic bomb. Wang Ganchang answered without hesitation: "I am willing to devote my life to the country!" From then on, Wang Ganchang changed his name to Wang Jing, bid farewell to his family, and plunged into atomic bomb research. A top scholar "disappeared" in the international physics community.

The nuclear test base is located in the uninhabited Qinghai grassland. Wang Ganchang, who is over 50 years old, is one of the oldest scientists in the test base. In order to ensure the smooth progress of the test, Wang Ganchang often works all night and has a very simple diet. In order to speed up the work progress, he stirs explosives with everyone, makes and installs test samples together, braves the wind and rain, and is tireless. In this way, Wang Ganchang silently fulfills his oath of "dedicating himself to the country."

Wang Ganchang (first from left), Guo Yonghuai (third from left) and Deng Jiaxian (second from right) at the Xinjiang nuclear test site

After the successful explosion of the atomic bomb and hydrogen bomb, Wang Ganchang continued to conduct underground nuclear test research. It was not until 1978 that Wang Ganchang, who was over 70 years old, publicly used his real name again. It was then that everyone suddenly realized that the old man Wang Jing who was researching the atomic bomb was Wang Ganchang who had "disappeared" for 17 years.

Pushing nuclear power, focusing on fusion

After the development of nuclear weapons came to an end, Wang Ganchang devoted himself to another cause - advocating for civilian nuclear power. At that time, the application of nuclear industry in the civilian field was not yet widespread, and people generally had a certain fear of nuclear power. Wang Ganchang boldly pointed out: "Nuclear power does have certain hazards, but it can be completely controlled. Can't fire and electricity also cause casualties? As long as it is used properly and well controlled, nuclear energy is beneficial and harmless."

In addition, Wang Ganchang has always been concerned about controlled nuclear fusion that can solve the energy problem of mankind in the future. In 1964, he and Soviet Academician Basov independently proposed the idea of ​​using laser target shooting to achieve controlled thermonuclear fusion, and have been supporting, participating in and guiding the scientific research of high-power laser fusion and particle beam fusion in my country. In 1984, he led the development of a new field of research on krypton fluoride (KrF) excimer laser inertial confinement nuclear fusion. In June 1987, the experimental device for laser nuclear fusion, "Shen Guang", passed the national appraisal. As the founder and pioneer of inertial confinement nuclear fusion, Wang Ganchang has made significant contributions to my country's scientific research in this field.

Wang Ganchang looking up materials in the library

On December 10, 1998, Wang Ganchang died of illness in Beijing at the age of 91. In 2003, the International Astronomical Union named an asteroid numbered 14558 as "Wang Ganchang Star" to commemorate his outstanding contribution to the field of nuclear science. Mr. Wang Ganchang's life is like this asteroid, shining with the light of scientific wisdom. He devoted all his life to the scientific cause of his motherland. Mr. Wang Ganchang's scientific achievements and moral cultivation are deeply respected and loved by the world, leaving precious spiritual wealth for future generations and setting a glorious example for nuclear industry people.

Produced by Yuanbao Studio

Planning | Ma Shiyu Zhao Mumu

Photo and text | Zhao Mumu

Poster | Hou Yixuan

Video | Shi Jialing

Note | This article is published by China Atomic Energy Publishing and Media Co., Ltd. Please do not reprint without permission!