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Episode 5: Future Science Prize Laureates Series – Kam-Biu LUK․The Mysterious Neutrinos
2024-10-21
“Our knowledge has to be enhanced from generation to generation, and I have the responsibility to pass on my knowledge to the next generation.”
Being referred to as the “ghost particles”, neutrinos are one of the elementary particles of the Universe. The sun and stars rely on them for emission of light and heat. Unveiling their mysteries may facilitate our understanding of the origin and evolution of the Universe.
When studying in the university, IAS Paul CW Chu Professor Kam-Biu LUK of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) was curious about the particle physics phenomenon. In the 1990s, in view of a study proposed by Japan to prove the authenticity of neutrino oscillations through the generation of a large amount of anti-neutrinos by all nuclear power plants, Professor LUK decided to focus on the study of neutrino physics.
In 2012, Professor LUK and his international partners discovered the third pattern of neutrino oscillation for the first time in the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station. This experiment indicates that neutrinos may violate a combined Charge-Conjugation and Parity (CP) symmetry, and explains the possibility of having the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the Universe. The breakthrough proves that neutrinos may violate a combined CP symmetry, thereby providing a new direction for studying why there is more matter than antimatter in the Universe. In addition, Professor LUK received many international awards in scientific research for this achievement, including the Panofsky Prize of American Physical Society, the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, the High Energy and Particle Physics Prize of European Physical Society, as well as the 2019 Future Science Prize – Physics Prize. Nevertheless, Professor LUK was humble and did not take the credit. He said, “In fact, such a large-scale experiment required the joint support and contributions from staff members possessing many different skills, so the award should belong to everyone.”
Neutrinos exist everywhere and Professor LUK’s inspiration for scientific research comes from everything in the Universe. In particular, he thinks that the nature remains to be full of mysteries. In his dialogue with the young scientist, Adrian Hoi-chun PO (HKUST’s Hari Harilela Assistant Professor of Physics), Professor LUK said, “In doing experiments, I would encourage students to explore by themselves, and I usually gave them much freedom.”
Spending most of his life in scientific research, Professor LUK attaches great importance to nurturing the next generation, and is passionate about research teaching. He hopes to spend more time in understanding the thinking, strengths and weaknesses of today’s young generation, so as to provide appropriate training for them to achieve inheritance.
Being referred to as the “ghost particles”, neutrinos are one of the elementary particles of the Universe. The sun and stars rely on them for emission of light and heat. Unveiling their mysteries may facilitate our understanding of the origin and evolution of the Universe.
When studying in the university, IAS Paul CW Chu Professor Kam-Biu LUK of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) was curious about the particle physics phenomenon. In the 1990s, in view of a study proposed by Japan to prove the authenticity of neutrino oscillations through the generation of a large amount of anti-neutrinos by all nuclear power plants, Professor LUK decided to focus on the study of neutrino physics.
In 2012, Professor LUK and his international partners discovered the third pattern of neutrino oscillation for the first time in the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station. This experiment indicates that neutrinos may violate a combined Charge-Conjugation and Parity (CP) symmetry, and explains the possibility of having the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the Universe. The breakthrough proves that neutrinos may violate a combined CP symmetry, thereby providing a new direction for studying why there is more matter than antimatter in the Universe. In addition, Professor LUK received many international awards in scientific research for this achievement, including the Panofsky Prize of American Physical Society, the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, the High Energy and Particle Physics Prize of European Physical Society, as well as the 2019 Future Science Prize – Physics Prize. Nevertheless, Professor LUK was humble and did not take the credit. He said, “In fact, such a large-scale experiment required the joint support and contributions from staff members possessing many different skills, so the award should belong to everyone.”
Neutrinos exist everywhere and Professor LUK’s inspiration for scientific research comes from everything in the Universe. In particular, he thinks that the nature remains to be full of mysteries. In his dialogue with the young scientist, Adrian Hoi-chun PO (HKUST’s Hari Harilela Assistant Professor of Physics), Professor LUK said, “In doing experiments, I would encourage students to explore by themselves, and I usually gave them much freedom.”
Spending most of his life in scientific research, Professor LUK attaches great importance to nurturing the next generation, and is passionate about research teaching. He hopes to spend more time in understanding the thinking, strengths and weaknesses of today’s young generation, so as to provide appropriate training for them to achieve inheritance.
Scientific research is not far away from us. Significant research outcomes achieved every time have facilitated the development and progress of human civilisation. Through their relentless efforts and innovations, scientists have revealed the secrets of nature and unraveled many mysteries. Their research outcomes have not only promoted technological advancement, but also changed our lifestyles and concepts. From breakthroughs in the medical field to innovations in various fields such as energy, environment and communications, scientific research has brought unlimited possibilities to us.
The programme consists of five documentaries, introducing the spectacular 2023 Future Science Prize Week and the laureates’ stories.
The first episode introduces the activities of the Future Science Prize Week, enabling the audience to understand the cutting-edge scientific research topics, and to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of the Prize Week. Besides, through the roundtable dialogue, the 2023 Future Science Prize laureates have shared their experiences, views and ideas for the future development, and have interaction and discussions with other experts in the scientific sector.
In each of the last three episodes, we will feature a Hong Kong scientist who have been awarded the prize previously: Professor Yuk-Ming Dennis LO who was awarded the Life Science Prize in 2016, Professor Kam-Biu LUK who was awarded the Physical Science Prize in 2019, and Professor Ngai-Ming MOK who was awarded the Mathematics and Computer Science Prize in 2022. Through their stories, the audience can see the scientists’ efforts and courage to explore in scientific research. Moreover, young scientists will have dialogue with the scientist laureates to share their experiences and inspiration in their scientific research journeys with each other.
Co-produced by the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, Future Science Awards Foundation Limited and Radio Television Hong Kong
Supported by: Innovation and Technology Commission
The programme consists of five documentaries, introducing the spectacular 2023 Future Science Prize Week and the laureates’ stories.
The first episode introduces the activities of the Future Science Prize Week, enabling the audience to understand the cutting-edge scientific research topics, and to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of the Prize Week. Besides, through the roundtable dialogue, the 2023 Future Science Prize laureates have shared their experiences, views and ideas for the future development, and have interaction and discussions with other experts in the scientific sector.
In each of the last three episodes, we will feature a Hong Kong scientist who have been awarded the prize previously: Professor Yuk-Ming Dennis LO who was awarded the Life Science Prize in 2016, Professor Kam-Biu LUK who was awarded the Physical Science Prize in 2019, and Professor Ngai-Ming MOK who was awarded the Mathematics and Computer Science Prize in 2022. Through their stories, the audience can see the scientists’ efforts and courage to explore in scientific research. Moreover, young scientists will have dialogue with the scientist laureates to share their experiences and inspiration in their scientific research journeys with each other.
Co-produced by the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, Future Science Awards Foundation Limited and Radio Television Hong Kong
Supported by: Innovation and Technology Commission
