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Jie Zhang 

Title: Chair Professor, Academician of CAS
Email: jzhang1@sjtu.edu.cn
Phone: +86-21-3420-4629
Address: Key Laboratory of Laser Plasmas (MoE), SJTU
Area of Physics: Laser fusion Physics, High energy density physics
 
 
Research Interests:
(1) High energy density physics
(2) Laser fusion physics
(3) Laboratory astrophysics
 
Biographical Sketch:

Professor Zhang is a prominent scientist for his pioneering contribution in laser-plasma physics and high energy density physics. He was elected Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in 2003, member of Germany Academy of Sciences Leopoldina in 2007, Fellow of the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in 2008, Foreign member of Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng) in 2011 and foreign associate of American National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in 2012. In 2015, he was awarded,by the American Nuclear Society, the Edward Teller Medal, which represents the most important recognition in the field of laser fusion physics and high energy density physics in the world.

He received Ph.D. degree in 1988 from the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). From 1989 to 1998, he first worked at Max-Planck-Institute for Quantenoptik in Germany, then the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and Oxford University in the UK.  He became the deputy Director of the Institute of Physics, CAS in 1999 and then Director General of the Bureau of Basic Sciences, CAS in 2003. In 2006, he was appointed as the 39th President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. In 2017, he was appointed as the associate President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is now the President of the Chinese Physical Society.

He works on laser plasma physics and high energy density physics. He has made outstanding contributions to development of soft X-ray lasers, generation and propagation of hot electrons in laser plasmas in connection with inertial confinement fusion (ICF), and lab simulation of astrophysical processes with laser-produced plasmas. By clever design to enhance pumping efficiency, he and his collaborators demonstrated saturation of soft-X-ray laser output at wavelength close to the water window. He discovered through theory and experiment that highly directional, controllable, fast electron beams can be generated from intense laser plasmas in liquids and solids. Such electron beams are useful for ultrafast electron microscopic studies and other potential applications. Understanding of how hot electrons are generated and propagated in laser plasmas and how the resulting electron beams emit from a target surface and carry away laser excitation energy is also important for understanding of the fast ignition process in ICF. Zhang is one of the Chinese pioneers on simulating astrophysical processes by laser plasmas in labs. He and his Japanese and Korean collaborators used high-energy laser pulses to successfully create conditions resembling the vicinity of the black hole and model the loop-top X-ray source and reconnection overflow in solar flares. Since 2001, he has published 180 papers in international scientific journals.

His service to the professional community is truly outstanding and unusually distinguished. He served as the President of Association of Asia Pacific Physical Societies (AAPPS) in the period of 2008-2010. He is a member of University Grant Committee (UGC) of Hong Kong, member of Foreign Evaluation Panel of National Research Foundation (NRF) of Singapore, international advisory member of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) of Germany.

Because of his academic achievements and professional services, Professor Zhang was elected the Foreign Associate of National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in 2012, the Foreign Member of Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng) in 2011, the Fellow of Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in 2008, the member of the German Academy of Sciences Neopoldina in 2007, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2003. His research achievements was recognized by the American Nuclear Society with the Edward Teller Medal in 2015; by the TWAS with the 2007 TWAS Prize in Physics; by the Chinese State Council with the State Natural Sciences Prize in 2006; by the Hong Kong Ho-Leung-Ho-Lee Foundation with the award of the Science and Technology Progress Award in 2006; by the Overseas Chinese Physical Society (USA) with the 2004 Achievement in Asia Award; by the Chinese Physical Society with the 2003 CPS Rao Yutai Award in Physics; by the Chinese Optical Society with the 2002 COS Wang Daheng Award in Optics; by the Hong Kong Qiushi Foundation with the Qiushi Award for Outstanding Young Scientists in 1999; by the State Council of China with the National Award for Outstanding Young Scientists in 1998.

 

Selected Publications:
  1. “Multimillijoule coherent terahertz bursts from picosecond laser-irradiated metal foils”,
    GQ Liao, YT Li, H Liu, GG Scott, D Neely, J Zhang, BJ Zhu, C Amstrong, E Zemaityte, P Bradford, PG Huggard, DR Rusby, P McKenna, CM Brenner, NC Woolsey, WM Wang, ZM Sheng,
    Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 116(10), 3994-3999 (2019).     
  2. “Terahertz Oscilloscope for Recording Time Information of Ultrashort Electron Beams”,
    LR Zhao, Z Wang, H Tang, Y Cheng, C Lu, T Jiang, PF Zhu, L Hu, W Song, HD Wang, JQ Qiu, R Kostin, CG Jiang, S Antipov, P Wang, J Qi, Y Cheng, D Xiang, J Zhang,
    Physical Review Letters 122, 144801 (2019).
  3. “Manipulation of polarizations for broadband terahertz waves emitted from laser plasma filaments”,
    ZL Zhang, YP Chen, S Cui, F He, M Chen, Z Zhang, J Yu, LM Chen, ZM Sheng, J Zhang,
    Nature Photonics12 (9), 554-+, (2018).
  4. “Terahertz Streaking of Few-Femtosecond Relativistic Electron Beams”,
    LR Zhao, Z Wang, C Lu, R Wang, C Hu, P Wang, J Qi, T Jiang, SG Liu, ZR Ma, FF Qi, PF Zhu, Y Cheng, ZW Shi, YC Shi, W Song, XX Zhu, JR Shi, YX Wang, LX Yan, LG Zhu, D Xiang, J Zhang,
    Physical Review X 8 (2), 082801 (2018).
  5. “Ultrahigh-charge electron beams from laser-irradiated solid surface”,
    Y Ma, JR Zhao, YF Li, DZ Li, LM Chen, JX Liu, SJD Dann, YY Ma, XH Yang, ZY Ge, ZM Sheng, J Zhang,
    Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 115 (27), 6980-6985, (2018).
  6. “Collimated ultrabright gamma rays from electron wiggling along a petawatt laser-irradiated wire in the QED regime”,
    WM Wang, ZM Sheng, P Gibbon, LM Chen, YT Li, J Zhang,
    Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 115 (40), 9911-9916, (2018).
  7. “Coulomb-Driven Relativistic Electron Beam Compression”,
    C Lu, T Jiang, SJ Liu, R Wang, LR Zhao, PF Zhu, D Xiang, J Zhang,
    Physical Review Letters 120 (4), 044801 (2018).
  8. “Multistage Coupling of Laser-Wakefield Accelerators with Curved Plasma Channels”,
    J Luo, M Chen, WY Wu, SM Weng, ZM Sheng, CB Schroeder, DA Jaroszynski, E Esarey, WP Leemans, WB Mori, J Zhang,
    Physical Review Letters 120 (15), 154801 (2018).
  9. “Laboratory Investigation of Astrophysical Collimated Jets with Intense Lasers”,
    DW Yuan, YT Li, T Tao, HG Wei, JY Zhong, BJ Zhu, YF Li, JR Zhao, F Li, B Han, Z Zhang, GY Liang, FL Wang, GY Hu, J Zheng, SE Jiang, K Du, YK Ding, SL Zhou, BQ Zhu, JQ Zhu, G Zhao, J Zhang,
    Astrophysical Journal 860 (2), 146 (2018).
  10. “Extreme case of Faraday effect: magnetic splitting of ultrashort laser pulses in plasmas”,
    SM Weng, Q Zhao, ZM Sheng, W Yu, SX Luan, M Chen, LL Yu, M Murakami, WB Mori, J Zhang,
    Optica 4 (9), 1086-1091, (2017).
  11. “Plasma optical modulators for intense lasers”,
    LL Yu, Y Zhao, LJ Qian, M Chen, SM Weng, ZM Sheng, DA Jaroszynski, WB Mori, J Zhang,
    Nature Communications, 7, 11893 (2016).
  12. “Controllable Terahertz Radiation from a Linear-Dipole Array Formed by a Two-Color Laser Filament in Air”,
    ZL Zhang, YP Chen, M Chen, Z Zhang, J Yu, ZM Sheng, J Zhang,
    Physical Review Letters, 117(24), 243901 (2016).
  13. “Demonstration of Coherent Terahertz Transition Radiation from Relativistic Laser-Solid Interactions”,
    GQ Liao, YT Li, YH Zhang, H Liu, XL Ge, S Yang, WQ Wei, XH Yuan, YQ Deng, BJ Zhu, Z Zhang, WM Wang, ZM Sheng, LM Chen, X Lu, JL Ma, X Wang, J Zhang,
    Physical Review Letters, 116(20), 205003 (2016).
  14. “Relativistic Electrons Produced by Reconnecting Electric Fields in a Laser-Driven Bench-Top Solar Flare”,
    JY Zhong, J Lin, YT Li, X Wang, Y Li, K Zhang, DW Yuan, YL Ping, HG Wei, JQ Wang, LN Su, F Li, B Han, GQ Liao, CL Yin, Y Fang, X Yuan, C Wang, JR Sun, GY Liang, FL Wang, YK Ding, XT He, JQ Zhu, ZM Sheng, G Li, G Zhao, J Zhang,
    Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 225(2), 30 (2016).
  15. “Tunable synchrotron-like radiation from centimeter scale plasma channels”,
    M Chen, J Luo, FY Li, F Liu, ZM Sheng, J Zhang,
    Light：Science&Applications, 5, e16015 (2016).
  16. “Mapping transient electric fields with picosecond electron bunches”,
    L. Chen, R.Z. Li, J. Chena, P.F. Zhu, F. Liu, J. Cao, Z.M. Sheng, and J. Zhang,
    Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 112(47), 14479-14483 (2015).
  17. “Demonstration of nonlinear-energy-spread compensation in relativistic electron bunches with corrugated structures”,
    F Fu, R Wang, P Zhu, L Zhao, T Jiang, C Lu, S Liu, L Shi, L Yan, H Deng, C Feng, Q Gu, D Huang, B Liu, D Wang, X Wang, M Zhang, Z Zhao, G Stupakov, D Xiang, and J Zhang,
    Phys. Rev. Lett., 114, 114801 (2015).
  18. “Multichromatic narrow-energy-spread electron bunches from laser-wakefield acceleration with dual-color lasers”,
    M Zeng, M Chen, LL Yu, WB Mori, ZM Sheng, B Hidding, DA Jaroszynski, and J Zhang, 
    Phys. Rev. Lett., 114, 084801 (2015).
  19. “Bursts of Terahertz radiation from large-scale plasmas irradiated by relativistic picosecond laser pulses”,
    GQ Liao, YT Li, C Li, LN Su, Y Zheng, M Liu, WM Wang, ZD. Hu, WC Yan, J. Dunn, J. Nilsen, J. Hunter, Y Liu, X Wang, LM Chen, JL Ma, X Lu, Z. Jin, R. Kodama, ZM Sheng and J Zhang,
    Phys. Rev. Lett.,114, 255001 (2015).
  20. “Chinese university: reform in three steps”,
    J Zhang,
    Nature, 514, 295 (2014).
  21. “Concurrence of monoenergetic electron beams and bright X-rays from an evolving laser-plasma bubble”,
    WC Yan, LM Chen, DZ Li, L Zhang, Nasr A. M. Hafz, J. Dunn, Y Ma, K Huang, LN Su, M Chen, ZM Sheng, and J Zhang,
    Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 111, 5825 (2014).
  22. “Collimation of energetic electrons from a laser-target interaction by a magnetized target back plasma preformed by a long-pulse laser”,
    HB Zhuo, ZL Chen, ZM Sheng, M Chen, T Yabuunchi, M Tampo, MY Yu, XH Yang, CT Zhou, KA Tanaka, J Zhang, and R Kodama,
    Phys. Rev. Lett., 112, 215003 (2014).
  23. "Dense attosecond electron sheets from laser wakefields using an up-ramp density transition",
    FY Li, ZM Sheng, Y Liu, J Meyer-ter-Vehn, WB Mori, W Lu, and J Zhang,
    Phys. Rev. Lett., 110, 135002 (2013).
  24. “Plasmoid ejection and secondary current sheet generation from magnetic reconnection in laser-plasma interaction”,
    QL Dong , SJ Wang, QM Lu, C Huang, DW Yuan, X Liu, XX Lin, YT Li, HG Wei, JY Zhong, JR Shi, SE Jiang, YK Ding, BB Jiang, K Du, XT He, MY Yu, CS Liu, S Wang, YJ Tang, JQ Zhu, G Zhao, ZM Sheng and J Zhang,
    Phys. Rev. Lett., 108, 215001 (2012).
  25. “Modeling loop-top X-ray source and reconnection outflows in solar flares with intense lasers”,
    JY Zhong, YT Li, XG Wang, JQ Wang, QL Dong, CJ Xiao, SJ Wang，X Liu, L Zhang, L An, FL Wang, Y Gu, XT He, G Zhao and J Zhang,
    Nature Physics, 6, 984 (2010).
  26. “Intense high-contrast femtosecond K-shell X-ray source from laser-driven Ar clusters”,
    LM Chen, F Liu, W M Wang, M Kando, JY Mao, L Zhang, J L Ma, YT Li, SV Bulanov, T Tajima,,Y Kato, ZM Sheng, ZY Wei, and J Zhang,
    Phys. Rev. Lett.,104, 215004 (2010).
  27. “X-ray astronomy in the laboratory with a miniature compact object produced by laser-driven implosion”,
    S Fujioka, H Takabe, N Yamamoto, D Salzmann, FL Wang, H Nishimura, YT Li, QT Dong, SJ Wang, Y Zhang, YJ Rhee, YW Lee, JM Han, M Tanabe, T Fujiwara, Y Nakabayashi, G Zhao, J Zhang, K Mima,
    Nature Physics 5, 821 (2009).
  28. “Study of X-ray emission enhancement via a high-contrast femtosecond laser interacting with a solid foil”,
    LM Chen, M. Kando, MH Xu, YT Li, J. Koga, M Chen, H Xu, XH Yuan, QL Dong, ZM Sheng, S.V. Bulanov, Y. Kato, J Zhang and T. Tajima,
    Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 045004 (2008).
  29. “Observation of a fast electron beam emitted along the surface of a target irradiated by intense femtosecond laser pulses”,
    YT Li, XH Yuan, MH Xu, ZY Zheng, ZM Sheng, M Chen, YY Ma, WX Liang, QZ Yu, Y Zhang, F Liu, ZH Wang, ZY Wei, W Zhao, Z Jin, and J Zhang,
    Phys. Rev. Lett., 96, 165003 (2006).
  30. “Interaction of light filaments generated by femtosecond laser pulses in air”,
      TT Xi, X Lu, J Zhang,
     Phys. Rev. Lett., 96, 025003-4 (2006).
  31. “Experimental synchronization of independent entangled photo sources”,
     T Yang, Q Zhang, TY Chen, S Lu, J Yin, JW Pan, ZY Wei, JR Tian, J Zhang,
     Phys. Rev. Lett., 96, 110501 (2006).
  32. “Emission of Electromagnetic Pulses from Laser Wakefields through Linear Mode Conversion”,
     ZM Sheng, K Mima, H Sanuki, J Zhang,
     Phys. Rev. Lett., 94，095003-095006 (2005).
  33. “High-energy electrons and x-ray photons emitted by water plasmas produced by femtosecond laser pulses”,
     YT Li, J Zhang, ZM Sheng, H Teng, TJ Liang, XY Peng, X Lu and XW Tang,
    Phys. Rev. Lett., 90, 1650021-4 (2003).
  34. “Stochastic heating and acceleration of electrons in colliding laser fields in plasmas”,
     ZM Sheng, K Mima, Y Sentoku, MS Jovanovic, T Taguchi, J Zhang and J Meyer-ter-Vehn,
    Phys. Rev. Lett., 88, 0550041-4 (2002).
  35. “Effects of laser polarization on jet emission of fast electrons in ultrashort pulse laser-plasmas”,
     LM Chen, J Zhang, YT Li, H Teng, TJ Liang, ZM Sheng, and XW Tang，
    Phys. Rev. Lett., 87, 225001-4 (2001).
  36. “Angular distribution of fast electrons, ions and Bremsstrahlung X/gamma rays in intense laser interaction with solid targets”,
     ZM Sheng, Y Sentoku, K Mima, J Zhang, W Yu and J Meyer-ter-Vehn,
    Phys. Rev. Lett., 85, 5340-5343 (2000).
  37. “A saturated x-ray laser beam at 7 nm”,
     J Zhang, AG  MacPhee, J Lin, E Wolfrum, R Smith, C Danson, MH Key, CLS Lewis, D Neely, J Nilsen, GJ Pert, GJ Tallents and JS Wark，
    Science 276, 1097 (1997).
  38. “Demonstration of saturation in a Ni-like Ag x-ray laser at 14 nm”,
     J Zhang, AG MacPhee, J Nilsen, J Lin, TW Barbee Jr, MH Key, CLS  Lewis, D Neely, RMN O'Rourke, GJ Pert, R Smith, GJ Tallents, JS Wark and E  Wolfrum,
    Phys. Rev. Lett.,78, 3856 (1997).
  39.  “Efficient extrexme XUV harmonics generated from picosecond laser pulse interactions with solid targets”,
     P A Norreys, M Zepf, A P Fews, S Moustaizis, J Zhang, P Lee, M Bakarezos, C N Danson, A Dyson, P Gibbon, P Loukakos, D Neely, F N Walsh, J S Wark and A E Dangor,
    Phys. Rev. Lett., 76, 1832 (1996).
  40. “Demonstration of high gain in a recombination x- ray laser at 18.2 nm driven by a 20 J, 2 ps glass laser”,
    J Zhang, MH Key, PA Norreys, GJ Tallents, A Behjat, C Danson, A Demir, L Dwivedi, M Holden, PB Holden, CLS Lewis, A G MacPhee, D Neely, GJ Pert, SA Ramsden, S J Rose, YF Shao, O Thomas, F Walsh, YL You,
    Phys. Rev. Lett. 74, 1335(1995).