On March 23, 2023, Academician Xiang Tao of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, researcher at the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, director of the Quantum Computing Research Center, and dean of the Beijing Quantum Information Science Research Institute visited the Li Zhengdao Research Institute as a guest speaker for the 176th Master Lecture. He gave a report on "The Physical Basis of Quantum Information Technology".

In his report, Academician Xiang Tao introduced the era background and timeline of quantum and quantum technology development, as well as the three major fields of quantum information technology: quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and precision measurement. He explained in simple terms the quantum characteristics such as quantum coherence, quantum unclonability and quantum entanglement. He also listed the main differences between quantum physics and classical physics, and between quantum computers and classical computers.

Quantum computing is still in the stage of scientific principle verification and basic technology research. Academician Xiang Tao vividly compared coherent quantum manipulation to "an elephant dancing on a steel wire. It is necessary to ensure that the elephant does not fall off while not breaking the thin steel wire."

Although there is uncertainty in the current development route and development goals of quantum information technology, it has shown high thresholds, high investment, high risks and high returns. It is expected to break through the bottleneck of classical technology in ensuring information security, improving computing speed and enhancing measurement accuracy. It will not only penetrate into every corner of information processing but also become a source of major technological innovation in fields such as information, energy, materials and life in the future. It may become an important engine for the fourth industrial revolution.

During the Q&A session, students on-site asked questions enthusiastically and Academician Xiang Tao patiently answered them one by one. On behalf of the Master Lecture Organizing Committee, Professor Ding Hong, Vice President of Li Zhengdao Research Institute warmly welcomed Academician Xiang Tao and students who came from Minhang Campus to attend this event. He also expressed his gratitude to Zhang Jie Academician, founder of Master Lecture.