Contents
Chen Ning Yang
Challenging mirror symmetry in particle physics and co-developing Yang–Mills theory.
Yang–Mills theory · Parity proposal
- Born
- 1 October 1922
- Birthplace
- Hefei, China
- Died
- 18 October 2025
More people
Chen Ning Yang
Chen Ning Yang was a Chinese theoretical physicist who shared the 1957 Nobel Prize with Tsung-Dao Lee.
Early life
Academic family
His father was a mathematician.
Wartime education
Studied in China before completing a doctorate at the University of Chicago.
Career
- 1940s–1950s
American research
Worked in Chicago and at the Institute for Advanced Study.
- 1954–1957
Foundational theories
Co-developed gauge theory and questioned parity conservation in weak interactions.
- 1966 onward
Stony Brook
Led theoretical physics research before later returning to China.
Contributions
Yang–Mills theory
Co-developed a framework that became central to particle physics.
Parity proposal
With Lee, identified the need to test mirror symmetry in weak processes.
Physics Nobel
Shared recognition after experiments demonstrated parity violation.
Beyond physics
Academic bridges
Supported scientific exchanges between China and the United States.
Later teaching
Worked with Tsinghua University after returning to China.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Nobel Prize: award and biography ↗Academia Sinica: obituary ↗Photo: ENERGY.GOV. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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