Subscribe to free Email Newsletter

Wang Ganchang (1907-1999) is an outstanding nuclear physical scientist and one of the initiators of China's researches in the nuclear physics, cosmic rays and particle physics. Wang Ganchang graduated from the physics department of Tsinghua University in 1929 and later made further study in Germany. In the period after the 1920s, Wang Ganchang made world-famous achievements, making outstanding contributions to the development of China's science and technology, high technology, especially the nuclear weapons.

In 1941, proposed by Wang Ganchang, the international science circle proved the existence of neutrino through experiments for the first time. In the 1950s, China established the first laboratory of cosmic rays in high mountains according to Wang's creative idea. In 1960, Wang Ganchang and his colleagues first discovered the charged antiparticle with strangeness number, i.e. sigma negative hyperon, enriching mankind's understanding of basic particle family and providing a new evidence for particle-antiparticle and its extension to the general law of material-antimaterial. Because of this outstanding contribution, Wang Ganchang was granted the first prize of National Natural Science Award.

Wang Ganchang was the founder and exploiter of China's nuclear physics. With many other scientists, he went to the desert area in western China to participate the atomic bomb researches, and organized many key research projects. What's more, he was one of the enthusiastic scientists who advocate China should develop high technology. In 1986, Wang Ganchang, Wang Dayan, Yang Jiachi and Chen Fangyun reported to the Chinese government and suggested that China launch the 863 Project, which covered researches on laser, microwave, and electromagnetic pulse weapons.

Wang Ganchang once served as director of Atomic Energy Research Institute of China Academy of Sciences, member of China Academy of Sciences Chairmen Committee, and the honorary director of China Nuclear Association. In 1955, Wang Ganchang was elected as the academician of China Academy of Science. Wang Ganchang was also the member of Standing Committee of the National People's Congress from the third to the sixth.