On 20 September, the Chinese Academy of Sciences held a regular press conference, announcing that the first phase of the on-orbit test of the launched satellite of Taiji Program in Space has been successfully completed. At the conference, Xianglibin, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), officially named the satellite "Taiji-01".Prof. Bin Xiang-LiWith the efforts of all the members of Taiji-01, it only took one year for the development and launch of the satellite. The satellite successfully launched into orbit on 31 August 2019. This means that the first step of the ‘three-step development’ strategy of ‘Taiji Program’ was initiated.Taiji-01 Launched SuccessfullyIn Taiji-01 project, the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) is responsible for overall management of the science mission system and development of the micro hall-effect thruster system.Prof. Yue-Liang WuDuring the press conference, the chief scientist of ‘Taiji’ program, vice president of UCAS, director of International Centre of Theoretical Physics-Asia Pacific (ICTP-AP), Yue-Liang Wu interpreted the on-orbit test and data analysis results of the first phase of Taiji-01. The results show that: The measurement accuracy of laser interferometer reaches 100 pm. The measurement accuracy of gravitational reference sensor reaches a billionth . The thrust resolution ratio of micro thruster reaches sub-scale.Taiji-01 Achieved: China’s highest accuracy of spatial laser interferometry. China’s first on-orbit drag free control technology test. Firstly and internationally on-orbit verification of micro-newton level radio frequency ion propulsion technology and dual mode hall-effect micro thruster technology. Professor Wu introduced that, in 1916, Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves based on general relativity. It is a kind of matter wave generated by the violent movement and change of matter and energy. The research on gravitational waves will provide a new important window for observing the universe and promote humans understanding of the unknown world.Prof. Xiao-Long DongProf. Xiao-Long Dong, general manager of the project, introduced the development process, organization, and implementation of the Taiji-01 project. After that, Prof. Hua-Wang Li, introduced the platform and payload of the satellite system.Prof. Hua-Wang LiTaiji-01 has taken the first step in the exploration of space gravitational waves in China，and promoted the breakthrough of key technologies in the detection of space gravitational waves in China. ICTP-AP will also provide sustained support to the Taiji project and contribute to space gravitational waves detection.
From July 8-12, 2019, the first UCAS gravitational wave summer school held successfully at Yanqihu Campus. UNESCO International Centre for Theoretical Physics Asia-Pacific (ICTP-AP) and Consortium of Gravitational Wave Detection Taiji Program in Space jointly sponsored this summer school.Secretary-General of Taiji Consortium, prof. Congfeng Qiao (College of Physics, UCAS) and member of KAGRA, prof. Hongbo Jin (National Astronomical Observatory), organized this summer school. The summer school invited seven experienced lecturers from domestic and aboard, they are: Antoine Klein (University of Birmingham, Member of LISA)Peng Xu (Lanzhou University, Member of ‘Taiji’)Wenbiao Han (Shanghai Astronomical Observator, Member of ‘Taiji’)Yueliang Wu (UCAS, Chief Scientist of ‘Taiji’ Project)Yunyong Wang (Institute of High Energy Physics, Member of LSC)Zhihui Du (Tsinghua University, Member of LSC)Zhoujian Cao (Beijing Normal University, Member of ‘Taiji’)A series of lectures of gravitational wave related studies were conducted in the next five days. Outstanding students from 14 universities and research institutes participated in this short-term training.Group photo of 2019 UCAS Gravitational Wave Summer SchoolTopics of the lectures were mainly focus on gravitational wave detection technology, gravitational wave source and data analysis and processing. Lecturers were introducing knowledge about gravitational waveAll the lecturers had working experience in gravitational wave research projects in different countries. At the beginning of the summer school, the chief scientist of ‘Taiji’ project, director of ICTP-AP, prof. Yueliang Wu shared the development, scientific objectives and research road of ‘Taiji’ project. In the next five days, experienced experts from ‘Taiji’ project introduced part of their mission in this project and shared their achievements in gravitational wave studies. Looking back to 2015, America, LIGO first directly detected the existence of gravitational waves in human history. The summer school invited two lecturers who worked in the LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC) team. They kindly passed on their rich experience and advanced thinking to the students. Moreover, LISA is the gravitational wave detection project from the European Space Agency. Specialist from LISA mainly focused on improving students’ understanding of waveform modeling for comparable-mass systems during the summer school. Prof. Klein performed guitar playing at the salon eventAn academic salon carried out during the summer school. In a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, students shared their research directions, discussed and exchanged their opinions of frontier and hot academic topics. On July 12, teachers issued certificates of completion for students.The ‘2019 gravitational wave summer school’ will help young talents in relevant research fields to have a better understanding of the frontiers of international disciplines. Furthermore, it plays a positive role in promoting the training of reserve talents. In the future, they may become members of the ‘Taiji’ project to contribute to the exploration of gravitational waves in space. Further Reading – ‘Taiji’ Program in SpaceThe Taiji program is proposed to detect GWs with frequencies covering the range of 0.1 mHz to 1.0 Hz with higher sensitivity around 0.01–1 Hz than eLISA (see Table 1). The Taiji program proposes to use a triangle of three spacecraft in orbit around the Sun (see Fig. 1). Laser beams are sent both ways between each pair of spacecraft, and the differences in the phase changes between the transmitted and received laser beams at each spacecraft are measured. The preliminary design for the Taiji mission is based on 3-million-kilometre separations between the spacecraft, and the expected launch date is about 2033. The purpose of the Taiji program is to study the most challenging issues concerning massive black holes, such as how the intermediate mass seed black holes were formed in the early universe, whether the dark matter could form a black hole, how seed black hole grows into a large or extremely large black holes and what is the nature of gravity.‘Taiji’ spacecraft in orbit around the sunAuthor: Fanzi Meng Min ZhangPhoto: Zhiping Shang Xinyue Zhang
On May 13, 2019, International Centre for Theoretical Physics Asia-Pacific (ICTP-AP) officially announced its launch. In the following two days, the Frontiers of Fundamental Physics Conference successfully took place in Beijing. More than 130 experts from 9 countries participated in the two-day Conference, and 27 excellent academic reports were organized.On 13 May morning, Chen-Ning Yang (Nobel Laureate of Physics and Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences), Fernando Quevedo (Director of Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP)), Poul H. Damgaard (Director of Niels Bohr International Academy), Xin-Cheng Xie (Deputy Director of the National Natural Science Foundation of China) and Yue-Liang Wu (Vice-President of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences) attended the opening ceremony of the conference and addressed speech.Chen-Ning Yang Addressed the Opening Ceremony Chen-Ning Yang recalled that, when Abdus Salam (Physicist from Pakistan, Nobel Laureate) proposed the idea of building ICTP, he was strongly opposed by some physicists in developed countries. However, Yang said, “over the years, ICTP made a great contribution to developments of science and technology in developing countries. To extend this contribution to cover the Asia-Pacific region now is a great wise ‘noble idea’”. After that, Yang showed a video, which he took and dubbed at ICTP headquarters for Dirac’s 70 birthday in Italy. Group Photo After the Opening Ceremony Before the symposium, on 12 May, the 1st Session of International Science Council (ISC) and the 2nd Session of International Governing Board (IGB) was successfully held. During the Science Council Meeting, delegates provided professional guidance to the ICTP-AP's medium and long-term scientific plan. Moreover, delegates shared their opinions on the employment strategy of scientists and visiting scientists. After that, the Governing Board Meeting discussed and approved the working report of the Centre.Group Photo of IGB & ISC Member The round table meeting was held as one of the ICTP-AP Kick-off activities on May 12. Leaders of well-known scientific research institutions from national and abroad attended this meeting. Delegates introduced the history, mission and vision, organization, latest research directions and achievements of their institutions. They suggested to build long-term mechanism and strengthen diversified cooperation in the future. Besides, institutions should provide excellent learning and research environment, more academic exchange activities to young talents, and make scientific research becoming the choice of more teenagers. Round Table MeetingICTP-AP proposal was put forward by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and was considered and adopted by the 38th UNESCO Conference. On 13 May 2017, Chun-Li Bai, President of the CAS, and Irina Bokova, Director-General of the UNESCO, signed the agreement regarding the establishment of ICTP-AP in Beijing, on behalf of Chinese Government and UNESCO respectively. On 4 Nov. 2018, the unveiling ceremony of the Centre took place in Beijing. ICTP-AP is a category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO in cooperation with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Science Foundation China (NSFC) and the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP, Trieste). It is the first UNESCO category 2 basic science center in China. ICTP-AP will develop outreach activities in cooperation with national and international institutions, providing an international platform and enhancing collaborative networks among scientists from different countries in and out of the region.
The International Centre for Theoretical Physics Asia-Pacific (ICTP-AP) was recently established in Beijing, China, as a category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO in cooperation with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Science Foundation China (NSFC) and the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP, Trieste). ICTP-AP operates in affiliation to the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) and is an ICTP partner Institute.The main goal of ICTP-AP is to perform top level research in several areas of science and promote scientific excellence throughout the world with emphasis in Asia-Pacific region.As ICTP-AP kick-off activity, the conference “Frontiers on Fundamental Physics”will span 2 days in Beijing, from May 13 to May 14, 2019. It covers topics in fundamental physics with the objective to enable scholars working in related areas to meet on a single platform and exchange new ideas.Main Topics Include:Quantum Field Theory & Particle Physics Cosmology & Gravitational UniverseMathematical PhysicsInternational Advisory Committee:Rong-Geng Cai, (ITP-CAS, China)Quevedo Fernando (ICTP, Italy)Andrew Strominger (Harvard Univ.,USA)Yue-Liang Wu (ICTP-AP/UCAS, ITP-CAS, China)Organizing Committee:Bo-Feng (Zhejiang Univ.)Cai-Dian Lu (IHEP-CAS )Zong-Guo Si (Shandong Univ.)Qing Wang (Tsinghua Univ. )Shou-Hua Zhu (Peking Univ.)Yu-Feng Zhou (ITP-CAS) * (contact person)Sponsors:University of Chinese Academy of SciencesInstitute of Theoretical Physics, CASInternational Centre for Theoretical Physics
On Nov. 4 2018, The First General Assembly of the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO) in the Belt and Road Region, and the second International Science Forum of Scientific Organizations in the Belt and Road Initiative, was held in Beijing.That afternoon, the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) hosted the fourth branch with the theme of “Science and Education”.Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) President Chun-Li Bai, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO Flavia Schlegel, deputy director of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Rui-Ping Gao, director of International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) Fernando Quevedo attended the meeting. The meeting was host by director of CAS’s international bureau Jing-Hua Cao.The conference held the signing ceremony of the agreement between the Chinese Academy of Sciences and UNESCO. Meanwhile, the unveiling ceremony of International Centre for Theoretical Physics Asian-Pacific (ICTP-AP) was hold as well.The International Centre for Theoretical Physics Asia-Pacific (ICTP-AP) is a category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO in cooperation with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Science Foundation China (NSFC) and the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP, Trieste). It is the first UNESCO category 2 basic science center in China in the area of basic science of UNESCO. ICTP-AP will operate as a branch center of ICTP in the Asia-Pacific region. ICTP-AP will develop outreach activities in cooperation with national and international institutions, providing an international forum and enhancing collaborative networks among scientists from different countries in and out of the region. Moreover, ICTP-AP will provide opportunities for advanced education, training and research in the area of basic physics.
The Signing Ceremony of International Centre for Theoretical Physics Asia-Pacific (ICTP-AP) was held in Beijing Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on May 13, 2017.Prof. Chun-Li Bai, President of the CAS, and Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), signed the Agreement regarding the Establishment of ICTP-AP as a Category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO in Beijing, on behalf of the Chinese Government and the UNESCO respectively.Ms Irina Bokova was invited by the Chinese government to take part in the “Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation“. Chun-Li Bai thank her to take time to attend the signing ceremony in a very tight schedule. Chun-Li Bai briefly introduced the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) and CAS achievements in scientific and technological support for “the Belt and Road initiative”. Chun-Li Bai mentioned, more than 400 young students from developing countries came to UCAS to study for a degree by CAS-TWAS scholarship. Chun-Li Bai said CAS would fully support the establishment and development of ICTP-AP.Ms Irina Bokova said, she just finished some activities organized by the Chinese government and discussed the big cooperative plan with China after she arrived in Beijing. She believes, the establishment of ICTP-AP will be an important project and it will be a good opportunity to promote scientific development and South-South cooperation because basic science is one of the inalienable parts for the United Nations 2030 development plan and sustainable development goals.Prof. Yue-Liang Wu, Vice President of the UCAS, Prof. Fernando Quevedo, Director of ICTP, Mr Dian-Wen Cao, Vice Director of Bureau of International Cooperation, CAS, together with Representative of UNESCO China National Committee and Beijing Office, witnessed the signing process.ICTP-AP proposal was submitted by CAS, and adopted by 38th General Conference of UNESCO. ICTP-AP will be planed to co-construct by CAS, NSFC and ICTP (UNESCO Category 1, Italy). It will be the first centre (UNESCO Category 2) in basic science in China, and also the second centre co-constructed by CAS and UNESCO. ICTP-AP will be set up in UCAS campus. Under the auspices of UNESCO, ICTP-AP will provide opportunities for advanced education, training and research in basic science such as frontiers of theoretical physics and the relevant interdisciplinary areas for scientists from Asia-Pacific region and other countries. ICTP-AP will develop outreach activities in cooperation with national and international institutions, providing an international forum and enhancing collaborative networks among scientists from different countries in and out of the region. ICTP-AP will develop and coordinate research-education-oriented advanced studies in theoretical physics and related interdisciplinary areas; ICTP-AP will aim to be a world-class research centre, training base for talents with global eye sights and international academic exchange centre.
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