Professor Jie Zhang works on high energy density physics and plasma physics. He has made outstanding contributions to the development of saturated output of soft X-ray lasers, generation and propagation of fast electrons in laser plasmas in connection with fast ignition process of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and ultrahigh spatio-temporal resolution MeV ultrashort pulsed electron diffraction and imaging. In 2015, he was awarded Edward Teller Medal, the most prestigious award in the field of ICF and high energy density physics. In 2021, he was awarded Future Science Prize in Physical Sciences for his scientific achievements in the development of laser based fast electron beam technologies and their applications in ultrafast time-resolved electron diffraction and fast ignition for research towards inertial confinement fusion.
He was elected Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2003, member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina in 2007, Fellow of Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in 2008, Foreign Member of Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng) in 2011, the Foreign Associate of National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in 2012.
Professor Zhang was the President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in the period of 2006-2017. He brought vitality, creativity and passion to the University. Under his leadership, Shanghai Jiao Tong University has made remarkable progress on its way to a world-class university. Professor Zhang’s education philosophy and practices exemplify an important exploration and experience in achieving the goal of building world-class universities in China. He made great contribution to the reform of higher education in China, including the important paper on Nature, which was taken as a model for the future universities in the world [Nature 514 (2014) 295]. In the period of 2017-2018, he served as the Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He has been the President of Chinese Physical Society since 2018.

Jie Zhang/ T. D. Lee Professor Director
Astronomy and Astrophysics Division
tdli-director AT sjtu.edu.cn
Representative Papers And Monographs
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “Chinese university: reform in three steps”, J Zhang, Nature, 514, 295 (2014).
- “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).
- “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).
- "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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “Interaction of light filaments generated by femtosecond laser pulses in air”, TT Xi, X Lu, J Zhang, Phys. Rev. Lett., 96, 025003-4 (2006).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).
- “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).