Winners of the 2020 Xplorer Prize proudly display their awards at the ceremony in Beijing, on Nov 14. [Photo/sxrb.com]

Scientist Zhang Jing, director of the Institute of Optoelectronics at Shanxi University received the 2020 Xplorer Prize in the category for mathematical physics at an awards ceremony in Beijing on Nov 14.

Zhang's research included work on continuous variable quantum information, ultra-cold atoms and laser technology.

In recent years, he has completed a body of internationally influential research focusing on the direction of ultra-cold atoms spin-orbit coupling. This has taken the lead in the world in terms of realizing quantum simulations of spin-orbit coupling of ultra-cold Fermi gas under one-dimensional, two-dimensional and strong interactions.

Launched by Ma Huateng, CEO of Chinese internet giant Tencent, and Professor Rao Yi of Peking University -- in cooperation with over 10 well-known scientists including leading theoretical physicist Chen Ning Yang -- the Xplorer Prize covers nine major scientific areas. These include mathematical physics, the life sciences, astronomy and geosciences, information electronics and advanced manufacturing.

It is a non-governmental and public interest award for young scientists and technicians, aged 45 and under, who work full-time in the Chinese mainland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region.

The initial funding of the award is being offered by the Tencent Foundation. The number of winners does not exceed 50 each year and the prize money is 3 million yuan ($456,169) per recipient.

Over 1,200 young scientists applied for this year's prize and 50 were winners. Over 800 academicians from home and abroad took part in the nominations, recommendations and judging, which reflected the prize's distinguished standing.