Nobel Laureate Prof. Alain Aspect addressing the award ceremony in his doctoral robe.
National Taiwan University (NTU) hosted an honorary doctorate award ceremony on October 14, at which President Wen-Chang Chen conferred an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree on French scholar Prof. Alain Aspect. A 2022 Nobel Laureate in Physics and a leading figure in the field of quantum physics, Prof. Aspect is renowned for his groundbreaking research in quantum optics, atomic optics, cold atom physics, and quantum computing. His research work has opened new frontiers in these fields. Distinguished guests at the ceremony included representatives from the French Office in Taipei and senior NTU officials.
After receiving his honorary doctorate award, Prof. Aspect delivered the inaugural lecture of the “Raymond Soong Chair Professorship of Distinguished Research,” titled “From Einstein and Bell to Quantum Technologies: Entanglement in Action.” His intriguing lecture explained the experimental proof of quantum entanglement, tracing the path from Einstein’s concept of “spooky action at a distance” to the violation of Bell’s inequality, culminating in today’s advancements in quantum technologies. The audience, which included students and researchers, was particularly intrigued by Prof. Aspect’s extensive experience and insights into the academic research landscape and enthusiastically engaged him in discussion. Their dialogue mostly touched on several key challenges in quantum computing today, highlighting the importance of both software and hardware in this field and emphasizing the role of collaboration between academia and industry in advancing research and technology.
President Wen-Chang Chen praised Prof. Aspect’s profound contributions to quantum physics, noting his pivotal role in advancing quantum optics and quantum information technologies.
The “Raymond Soong Distinguished Research Lecture” series was established through a generous NT$200 million donation from LITE-ON Technology founder Raymond Soong. The goal of the lecture series is to bring leading international scholars to NTU as guest lecturers, fostering in-depth academic exchanges with NTU’s research teams. It is Mr. Soong’s sincere hope that the series will broaden the horizons of NTU’s faculty and students while offering opportunities for overseas exchanges.
Prof. Aspect’s visit marks the beginning of further collaborations between Taiwan and France in the field of quantum technology.
Prof. Alain Aspect (left) receiving the Honorary Doctorate certificate from NTU President Wen-Chang Chen (right).
Prof. Alain Aspect delivering the first "Raymond Soong Distinguished Research Lecture."
Left to right: President Wen-Chang Chen, Prof. Alain Aspect, and LITE-ON Technology founder Raymond Soong.
