Homepage

Record

RefNoEC/1992/45
LevelItem
TitleYang, Chen Ning: certificate of election to the Royal Society
Date1991
DescriptionCertificate of Candidate for Election to Foreign Membership. Citation typed
CitationYang's outstanding contributions to the theory of elementary particle physics and to statistical mechanics are too many to enumerate. It is worth mentioning just three of these which have proven revolutionary in the context of physics and/or mathematics.
In 1954, together with R.L. Mills, Yang proposed a modification of Maxwell's equations which could describe particle interactions beyond the electromagnetic. This was achieved by changing the gauge symmetry group from U(1) to the non-abelian group of rotations in three dimensions. Allowing greater choice for this non-abelian group the equations have become the basis for all unified gauge theories of particle interactions. Because of their geometrical significance, the study of these equations has enriched modern pure mathematics.
In 1956, together with T.D. Lee, Yang suggested that the possibility that parity need not be conserved in weak interactions would resolve certain puzzles in experimental data. They further suggested that the measurement of the beta decay of polarised nuclei would detect this parity violation directly. They promptly received the Nobel Prize for physics a year later when this effect had been confirmed.
In 1967, Yang s [sic] longstanding interest in statistical mechanics led him to solve the problem of a system of quantum mechanical particles moving on a line with repulsive delta-function interactions. In the course of this, he realised the importance of a system of equations now known as the "Yang-Baxter" equations which have become the cornerstone of a much wider class of solvable theories and have led to a new and important mathematical concept, namely that of the so-called "quantum groups".
The extraordinarily wide range of influence shown by Yang's seminal ideas pays testimony to their power.
AccessStatusClosed
Add to My Items
    Botanical paintings by Jacob van Huysum and William Sartorius

    Botanical paintings by Jacob van Huysum and William Sartorius

    Useful Links

    Collection highlights

    Browse the records of some of our collections, which cover all branches of science and date from the 12th century onwards. These include the published works of Fellows of the Royal Society, personal papers of eminent scientists, letters and manuscripts sent to the Society or presented at meetings, and administrative records documenting the Society's activities since our foundation in 1660.

    Papers of Howard Florey
    Papers of Howard Florey
    Referees’ Reports
    Referees’ Reports
    Botanical paintings by Jacob van Huysum and William Sartorius
    Botanical paintings by Jacob van Huysum and William Sartorius
    New Letter Books
    New Letter Books
    Browse Collections

    The Royal Society

    The Royal Society is a Fellowship of many of
    the world's most eminent scientists and is the
    oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.
    Registered charity number 207043

    Website design ©CalmView



    CONTACT US

    + 44 207 451 2500
    (Lines open Mon-Fri, 9:00-17:00. Excludes bank holidays)

    6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG

    Email Us →

    SUBSCRIBE

    Subscribe to our newsletters to be updated with the
    latest news on innovation, events, articles and reports.

    Subscribe →

    © CalmView