Chinese-born physicist who, with Robert Mills, introduced the Yang-Mills gauge theory in 1954, the mathematical and physical framework the Clay Mathematics Institute's Yang-Mills existence and mass gap problem asks be put on a rigorous footing. He shared the 1957 Nobel Prize in Physics with Tsung-Dao Lee for showing that parity is violated in weak interactions. He worked at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, from 1949.
Facts
Nationality / CultureChinese, naturalized American citizen 1964, renounced American citizenship 2015 1 Defining ContributionWith Robert Mills, introduced Yang-Mills gauge theory in 1954, the framework underlying the Clay Mathematics Institute's Yang-Mills existence and mass gap Millennium Prize problem. 2 Notable WorkConservation of Isotopic Spin and Isotopic Gauge Invariance, with Robert Mills (Physical Review, October 1954) 2 AwardNobel Prize in Physics, 1957, shared with Tsung-Dao Lee 3 Connections
Associated With
Co-devised Yang-Mills gauge theory in 1953, published jointly as Conservation of Isotopic Spin and Isotopic Gauge Invariance.
Yang and Mills introduced the underlying gauge theory in 1954; the Millennium Prize question about its rigorous quantum construction and mass gap was posed by the Clay Mathematics Institute in 2000, not by Yang or Mills themselves.
Source Clay Mathematics Institute
In Branch
In the Other Atlases
Same As
Also in Science Atlas: the same subject.
Nationality
Also in Geography Atlas: the nationality of this subject.
Also in Geography Atlas: the nationality of this subject.
Sources
1. Phys.org, Chinese Nobel Prize-Winning Physicist Chen Ning Yang Dies at 103
Phys.org, October 2025, 2025Page textQuote, Page text
"Professor Yang is one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century, having made revolutionary contributions to the development of modern physics," the statement said, praising his contribution to China's scientific and educational developments.
2. Clay Mathematics Institute
Clay Mathematics Institutehttps://www.claymath.org/millennium/yang-mills-the-maths-gap/Quote, https://www.claymath.org/millennium/yang-mills-the-maths-gap/
Almost half a century ago, Yang and Mills introduced a remarkable new framework to describe elementary particles using structures that also occur in geometry.
3. The Nobel Prize, Official Site
The Nobel Foundation
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.