PeopleofSuperintelligence

Researcher

Chao-Yang Lu

Also known as 陆朝阳, Chao‐Yang Lu

Chao-Yang Lu is a physicist whose work in quantum computation and communication centers on photonic systems. Born in Zhejiang, he studied physics at USTC, earned a PhD at Cambridge's Cavendish Laboratory, and returned to USTC as a professor in 2011. His team used the Micius satellite for the world's first intercontinental quantum-encrypted videocall in 2017, and Lu received the Fresnel Prize. In 2020, his team published the Jiuzhang photonic-computing result, and he received the Adolph Lomb Medal; in 2021, he received the APS Award in Quantum Computing. He has led Hefei National Laboratory's Quantum Computing Division since 2023 and chairs the World Association of Young Scientists since June 2024.

Now at
Hefei National Laboratory and World Association of Young Scientists
Born
1982
Badges

Years link to their sources.

Timeline

  1. 1982–2007

    From Zhejiang to USTC

    Born in Zhejiang in 1982, he earns a bachelor's degree in physics at USTC in 2004 and studies in its Department of Modern Physics from 2004 to 2007.

  2. 2008–2011

    A Cambridge physics PhD

    At Cambridge's Cavendish Laboratory, he completes a PhD in physics in 2011. He returns to USTC as a professor in 2011.

  3. 2017

    Micius and a Fresnel Prize

    In 2017, his team uses the Micius satellite for the world's first intercontinental quantum-encrypted videocall. He wins the European Physical Society's 2017 Fresnel Prize.

  4. 2020

    Jiuzhang and quantum advantage

    In 2020, Lu's team publishes the Jiuzhang photonic quantum-computing result in Science. The system uses 76 photons to run an algorithm in 200 seconds, a task estimated to take a conventional supercomputer 2.5 billion years; the team claims quantum advantage over classical computing.

  5. 2020

    The Adolph Lomb Medal

    His research spans quantum computation and communication. In 2020, he receives the OSA Adolph Lomb Medal for contributions to optical quantum information and optical quantum computing.

  6. 2021

    An APS quantum computing award

    In 2021, he receives the Rolf Landauer and Charles H. Bennett Award in Quantum Computing for work on optical quantum information, solid-state light sources, quantum teleportation and optical quantum computing.

  7. 2021–2022

    Executive dean and chair professor

    In January 2021, he becomes Executive Dean of USTC's Shanghai Research Institute. In June 2022, he becomes a Chair Professor at USTC and Deputy Director of the Shanghai Center for Quantum Sciences.

  8. Since 2024

    Leading the Hefei quantum division

    In January 2023, he becomes Executive Director of the Quantum Computing Division at Hefei National Laboratory. Since June 2024, he chairs the World Association of Young Scientists.

Career

  1. Since 2024World Association of Young ScientistsChair
  2. Since 2023Hefei National LaboratoryExecutive Director
  3. From 2022Shanghai Research Center for Quantum SciencesDeputy Director
  4. From 2011University of Science and Technology of ChinaProfessor, Executive Dean

Education

  1. 2011University of CambridgePhD
  2. 2007University of Science and Technology of China
  3. 2004University of Science and Technology of ChinaBachelor's degree

From the biography.

  1. People shaping AI who were born in China spent 54% of recorded working years there from 2018 onIncludes Chao-Yang Lu. We estimate that people shaping AI who were born in China spent 54% of recorded working years there in 2018–2026, up from 51% in 2008–2017.
  2. 84% of people shaping AI with recorded undergraduate and doctoral schools changed institutions for their doctorateIncludes University of Science and Technology of China. 84% of people shaping AI with recorded undergraduate and doctoral schools changed institutions for their doctorate. Across 2,116 people with both an undergraduate degree and a doctorate recorded, we trace which undergraduate schools feed which doctoral programs, how often students stay at the same school, and how paths differ by birth-country region.
  3. 44% of AI career moves go from one university to anotherIncludes University of Science and Technology of China. We estimate how 26,439 AI career moves link universities, companies, labs, nonprofits and government research centers, with decade counts, net flows and the top paths.
  4. 11% of AI doctorate holders from 2010 to 2016 founded or led a company or lab by 10 years after graduationIncludes University of Science and Technology of China. We estimate how often AI doctorate holders founded or led a company or lab by 10 years after graduation, how waiting times compare between founders and top jobs, and which universities trained the most.

Colleagues

People named in this biography, and people with dated positions at the same organization in the same years.

Sources and credits

Photo: We have no published photo of Chao-Yang Lu yet. Send us a free-licensed photo.

  1. Chao-Yang Lu | Division of Quantum Physics and Quantum Information quantum.ustc.edu.cn. Checked 21 October 2026.
  2. Chaoyang Lu | Optica optica.org. Checked 21 October 2026.
  3. Quantum scientist sins APS prize aps.org. Checked 21 October 2026.
  4. China’s leading researchers set their sights on new frontiers nature.com. Checked 21 October 2026.
  5. Spring 2021 APS Prizes & Awards Recipients aps.org. Checked 21 October 2026.