Welcome to School of Physics (SoP) at Peking University.

Unleash the Power of Physics at Peking University: Where Curiosity Meets Innovation!

 

Why SoP?

Study and research at SoP are dedicated not only to the forefront of fundamental physics but also to the advancement of cutting-edge technology. SoP plays a leading role in planning and executing regional, national, and international scientific research programs. Major research fields include high-energy physics; astrophysics and cosmology; radioactive nuclear physics; high-energy-density physics; key technologies for advanced light sources and particle beams; the interaction of particle beams with materials; mesoscopic semiconductor light emission and laser physics; ultra-fast physics; optical properties of artificial microstructures and mesoscopic devices; electromagnetic properties of mesoscopic functional systems; mesoscopic theory and material computation; high-temperature superconductivity physics and devices; nano-materials and devices; near-field optics; quantum materials and quantum manipulation; soft condensed matter physics; biophysics; medical physics and imaging; atmospheric physics and the environment; meteorology and climate change; physical oceanography, etc.

Faculty

SoP has a robust faculty and staff team comprising over 300 members, including numerous Academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, The World Academy of Sciences, Fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Foreign Fellows of the European Academy of Sciences, Fellows of the American Physical Society, Fellows of the Optical Society of America, Fellows of the American Astronomical Society, Fellows of the American Meteorological Society, Fellows of the Institute of Physics (UK), and Fellows of the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK). 

Missions

The primary mission of SoP is to nurture pioneering talent, serving as the cornerstone for the establishment of a world-class institution in the fields of physics, astronomy, atmospheric science, and nuclear science and technology. Over the next decade, our goal is to assume a leading position within the international physics and related disciplines communities, making a significant global impact in talent cultivation and knowledge innovation within these fields.

Departments/Institutes

There are eight research departments/institutes at SoP.

1)      Institute of Theoretical Physics (ITP)

Research directions of ITP:

²  Particle Physics Theory

This encompasses the physics of the Standard Model and physics beyond it. Topics include lattice gauge field theory, perturbative field theory, spin physics, new hadronic states, heavy quark physics, Higgs physics, neutrino physics, CP violation, dark matter, effective operators, effective field theory methods, gravitational wave physics, astrophysics, black holes, the origin of mass in matter, and new detection methods based on quantum technology.

²  Nuclear Theory

This involves phase transitions, phase diagrams, and properties of strongly interacting matter, high-energy nuclear collisions and quark-gluon plasma, quark degrees of freedom within the nucleus, nuclear structure under extreme conditions, and nuclear astrophysics.

²  Field Theory and Cosmology

This includes topics such as string theory, conformal field theory, non-commutative geometry, early universe evolution, and cosmic structure.

²  Condensed Matter Theory and Statistical Physics

This covers strongly correlated systems, high-temperature superconductivity theory, topological quantum states of matter, out-of-equilibrium quantum many-body dynamics, quantum entanglement in many-body systems, quantum simulation of many-body systems, and transport properties of mesoscopic systems.

²  Computational Physics and Its Applications

This involves research methods and simulation computations for multi-particle systems, construction and simulation of dynamical models, lattice QCD calculations, perturbative field theory calculations, machine learning and quantum computing, and computational condensed matter physics.

²  Foundations of Physics and Quantum Physics

This explores the fundamentals of physics, including quantum physics with aspects such as the dynamics of quantum entanglement in many-body systems, quantum simulation of many-body systems, entanglement entropy and non-equilibrium dynamics phase transitions in open and monitored quantum many-body systems, and quantum information and quantum computing.

2) Institute of Condensed Matter and Materials Physics (ICMMP)

The predecessor of ICMMP was the solid-state physics specialization established after the reorganization of the Department of Physics of Peking University in 1952. In 2001, the School of Physics of Peking University was established. The former majors of semiconductors, magnetism, low-temperature physics, solid structure, and solid-state energy spectroscopy of the Department of Physics were merged to form ICMMP, forming a unified discipline system. Condensed matter has become one of the first key subjects in colleges and universities in China since 1988 and was named a national key subject in 2001. Now, ICMMP has developed into an influential research base and has achieved important progress in teaching, scientific research, and external exchanges.

At present, ICMMP has formed the following advantageous research directions:

²  Wide bandgap semiconductor physics and devices

²  Condensed matter theory

²  Nano-semiconductors and semiconductor photonics

²  Micro-nano photonics and near-field micro-area spectroscopy

²  High-temperature superconducting materials, physics, and devices

²  Nanostructure and low-dimensional physics

²  Magnetic physics and new magnetic materials

²  Soft condensed matter physics and biophysics

3) Institute of Modern Optics (IMO)

IMO was established in 2001 based on the former optical research team of Physics Department, Peking University. There are two disciplines, optics & atomic and molecular physics. Members of IMO focus on many research areas:

²  Mesoscopic and Micro/Nanophotonics

Investigations on the optical physics in the optical wavelength and sub-wavelength range, revealing the interaction mechanism between light and nanostructures, developing novel micro- and nano-photonic devices, and exploring near-field optical technology and physics.

²  Atomic and Molecular Physics

Measurement and manipulation of the interaction between ultrashort intense laser pulses and atoms, molecules & solids with ultrahigh precisions, as well as theoretical simulations of its dynamical behavior.

²  Quantum Optics and Quantum Chips

Fundamental quantum physics and quautum optics, including quantum coherence, entanglment and light-matter interaction, and quantum information technologies for quantum computing, simulation and communication, in photonic chip, solid-state and cold atom quantum systems.

²  Optoelectronic Functional Molecules/Materials and Devices

Perovskite optoelectronic devices and organic optoelectronic devices, including exploration of novel molecular materials, designing novel device structures, optimizing the device performance, and revealing the underlying physics.

²  Femtosecond Science and Nonlinear Optics

Exploring the applications of femtosecond lasers and nonlinear optics in atomic and molecular physics, condensed matter physics, and materials science.

4) Department of Technical Physics (DTP)

Research directions of DTP:

²  Experimental High Energy Physics

Research topics include unconventional hadron states, CP symmetry violation, standard model precision test and searches for new physics beyond the standard model and other fundamental issues. The specific work will involve the development of experimental detectors, simulation and reconstruction software, and physics analysis of high-energy experimental data.

²  Theoretical Nuclear Physics

Research topics include establishing and developing relativistic and non-relativistic quantum many-body theoretical models based on basic interactions and various effective interactions, developing first principles theory of nuclear physics, using large-scale numerical calculations to study new symmetries, stability and properties of unstable nuclei, nuclear structure and decay, nuclear fission, neutrinos, dynamic properties of nuclei, nuclear physics processes in the universe, medium and high energy nuclear physics, theoretical research on γ-ray lasers, etc.

²  Experimental Nuclear Physics Direction

Research topics include radioactive ion beam physics, nuclear structure and decay, basic properties of nuclei, nuclear reaction mechanisms, detection technology and applications, physical issues in nuclear energy and nuclear safety, nuclear electronics and applications, numerical simulations, etc.

²  Applied Nuclear Physics

Investigations on the interaction between ion beams and matter based on accelerators, including radiation damage and radiation effects of nuclear energy materials, ion beam material modification, ion beam analysis technology, design and preparation of new nuclear energy materials, nuclear radiation protection and radiation environment monitoring, radiation dose and safety evaluation, research on material structure and physical properties under extreme conditions, application of nuclear technology, etc.

5) Institute of Heavy Ion Physics (IHIP)

IHIP is dedicated to exploring cutting-edge accelerator technologies, focusing on challenging issues in energy and tumor radiotherapy. It aims to establish itself as a leading international hub for nuclear science research and talent cultivation. In recent years, IHIP has made significant breakthroughs in areas such as laser acceleration, superconducting acceleration, nuclear physics, and nuclear magnetic resonance technology. Currently, research in IHIP encompasses four directions: nuclear technology and applications, plasma physics, high energy density physics, and medical physics and engineering.

6) Department of Astronomy [& Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics（KIAA）] (DA&KIAA)

DA&KIAA covers the most exciting areas in astrophysics, including galaxy formation and evolution, black holes, pulsars, stars, stellar explosions, and exoplanets, by applying innovative approaches in computational astrophysics and multi-messenger observations of photons, gravitational waves, cosmic rays and neutrinos. Students design and implement programs with the FAST Radio Telescope, the largest single-dish telescope in the world, the LAMOST spectroscopic survey, and top international facilities, including JWST. The CSST Science Center allows students to prepare for and analyze survey data from the Chinese Space Station Telescope, which will soon provide exquisite imaging across large swaths of the sky.

7) Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (DAOS)

Research fields of DAOS cover meteorology, climatology, atmospheric physics, atmospheric chemistry, environmental science, physical oceanography, and planetary atmospheres. DAOS actively pursues fundamental and cutting-edge research, promotes multidisciplinary collaborations on the basis of independent research, and strives to become a world-leading institution in atmospheric and oceanic sciences.

²  Extreme Weather and Climate Change

Extreme weather, including heavy rainfall, tropical cyclones, cold surges and tornadoes present devastating risks and hazards for society and ecosystems. Climate change may alter the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. By combining theory, observations, data assimilation and numerical simulations, we examine the physical processes, mechanisms and predictability of extreme weather, the drivers and mechanisms of climate change, and its relationship with extreme weather, with the aim of improving weather forecasts, climate projections, risk assessment, and adaptation strategies.

²  Paleoclimate and Planetary Atmospheres

Studies of paleoclimate and planetary atmospheres at DAOS span a range of topics involving the climates of planets and moons in the solar system as well as extrasolar planets.  We pursue cutting-edge and ground-breaking research in paleoclimate, climate dynamics, atmospheric and climatic evolution, and planetary habitability, explore the mechanisms determining the atmospheres and climates of different planets, aiming to improve our understanding of the evolution of Earth’s climate in the past and future, and to provide theoretical basis for deep-time Earth and deep-space exploration of China.  

²  Atmospheric Physics and Atmospheric Environment

DAOS has a long-standing reputation in atmospheric physics and atmospheric environmental research, which includes detailed studies of atmospheric remote sensing, atmospheric radiation, atmospheric chemistry, and boundary layer and turbulence. We develop satellite and ground-based remote sensing algorithms to retrieve 3-D structures of atmospheric composition. Combining laboratory experiments and numerical simulations, we further study the hygroscopic growth of atmospheric aerosols and cloud microphysics. We examine the dynamical and thermodynamical processes in the boundary layer and their impact on pollution dispersion through observations and model simulations. We also develop advanced atmospheric chemical transport models and climate-chemistry models to investigate the characteristics and mechanisms of air pollution worldwide, the interactions between climate and pollution, and the impacts of international trade on global environment and climate.

²  Physical Oceanography and Air-sea Interaction

Oceans exert a fundamental influence on the climate through energy and material transport, and air-sea interactions strongly affect inter-annual and inter-decadal variability. We are devoted to understanding processes affecting ocean circulation and variability, air-sea interactions, the influence of oceanic circulation on the climate, impacts of climate change on ocean circulations, and oceans on other planets.

8) International Center for Quantum Materials (ICQM)

ICQM was established in 2010 as a major initiative of Peking University, aiming to create a new type of platform for research and education. ICQM has since been committed to perform cutting-edge research at the frontiers of condensed matter physics and quantum materials, to create an innovative academic environment, and to establish a world-class platform for physics research and education. 

As an innovative platform for science and technology, ICQM has been devoting a great effort to recruit internationally-renowned scientists as well as excellent young researchers, and to provide first-class infrastructure and dynamical scientific environment for basic research. Located in Beijing and amid the fast socioeconomic transformation of China, ICQM endeavors to implement a new academic structure that is based on two major components: independent principal investigator system and tenure appraisal system.

ICQM provides solid training and great research opportunities for young scientists, including postdoctoral researchers and graduate students from both domestic and foreign institutions. The students at ICQM are provided with an active scientific environment to explore a wide-range of frontier research topics through a rich array of academic activities, such as seminars, lectures and summer schools.

Research directions of ICQM:

²  Low temperature and quantum transport experiments

²  Spintronics and low-dimensional magnetism experiments

²  High-resolution Spectroscopy experiments

²  AMO experiment and precision measurement

²  Theoretical condensed matter physics

²  Computational physics

Courses Offered at SoP

SoP offers dozens of professional courses conducted in English. International students can choose from these courses under the guidance of their mentors. The total credits for the courses taken must meet the requirements for a Ph.D. degree at Peking University.

Courses available for instructions in English include:

*Please inquire with the Academic Affairs Office of SoP before selecting this course to confirm its availability.

Application

l  Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport, with no criminal records, healthy both physically and psychologically, friendly to China and abiding by the laws and decrees of China. Residents of mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan who have emigrated to other countries and are applying to Peking University as international students must present valid passport or citizenship documents dating from before April 30, 2018, along with proof of cancellation of Chinese nationality.

NB The exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ of China reserves the right to judge whether an applicant still has Chinese nationality. If during the application period or even after the admission or registration the applicant is judged to be still holding Chinese nationality, his/her application, admission, registration or even enrollment will be nullified.

l  Applicants for Ph.D. Program usually should have attained a master's degree. However, some majors are eligible for application with an undergraduate degree. Please feel free to inquire at the Academic Affairs Office of SoP for more information.

l  The full-time program should be completed entirely in English, including both required coursework and doctoral dissertations. Students with a master degree are required to complete the curriculum within 4 years (in normal circumstances), fulfill the designated number of credits, conduct research, complete the doctoral thesis and defend it in front of a panel of experts. Students with an undergraduate degree are usually required to complete the curriculum in 5 years.

l  Application Fee: CNY800 for each program. Each applicant may apply for up to two programs. Non-refundable. Paid online before the application deadline. Any other currency or travel check would not be accepted. Applications with incomplete documents or without application fee payment will not be processed.

l  Tuition Fee for one program (per person per year): CNY40,000. However, tuition may be waived, should one succeed in application for specific scholarships.

Start to Apply

Step 1: Choose a Program and Contact an Appropriate Professor.

Before you apply for a program, we strongly recommend you contact a professor in advance. Candidates should contact prospective research advisors to proactively discuss potential research plans. For more information on members of SoP, we offer a Staff Search Tool at Faculty-SCHOOL OF PHYSICS,PEKING UNIVERSITY (pku.edu.cn)

Step 2: Online Application.

Visit the application system (Peking University - Online Service Platform for International Students (studyatpku.com)), fill in the application and upload the following documents:

1)      Graduation and degree certificates and degree authentication in Chinese or English. For degree certificates in other languages, applicants are required to upload both the original copy and a notarized copy in Chinese or English. Degree diplomas awarded by overseas universities must be authenticated by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, Ministry of Education, P. R. China (CSCSE). Degree diplomas awarded by universities on the Chinese mainland must be authenticated by the Center for Student Services and Development, Ministry of Education, P. R. China (CSSD).

NB Applicants who graduated before 2024 must upload their degree authentication report during the application period. Applicants expected to graduate in 2024 must provide an official letter from their current university stating their expected graduation date, submit their certificate of graduation upon being preadmitted, and present their original degree diploma upon registration.

2)      Official transcripts of the applicant’s academic achievement, including courses taken and standards achieved. These must be original documents or notarized copies either in Chinese or English.

3)      A personal statement (including a 1500 words research plan). Please click the link to download the template: https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/down/shen/ru.html

4)      Resume and a copy of the Commitment for Application. Please click the link to download the template for the Commitment: https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/down/shen/ru.html

5)      Two reference letters from professors or associate professors in the applicant's field (or equivalent professionals with relevant academic titles), written in either Chinese or English, are required. Once applicants submit their applications, the system will automatically send a link to the recommenders. Recommenders should click the link and submit their recommendations by either completing the online form or uploading a scanned copy of the signed letter. For your convenience, you can download the template by clicking the following link: https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/down/shen/ru.html.

6)      Applicants whose first language is not English are required to submit TOEFL, iBT (100 or above) or GRE (315 or above) scores or other certificates to prove your English language proficiency.

7)      Information page of the valid passport (passport type must be ordinary). The passport’s date of expiry should be after December 2024.

8)      Table of contents and abstracts of the applicant’s academic publications and any other original achievements in your field (if applicable).

*Applicants should scan the original or notarized application documents in color using a scanner. Images captured by mobile phone or camera are NOT acceptable.

Step 3: Complete Your Application by the Deadline.

The program application becomes available from now. All components of the application must be submitted before the deadline of February 28, 2024 at 5 p.m. Beijing Standard Time.

Step 4: Review Admissions Policies.

1)         Initial Screening. After the International Student Division send the application information which meet the basic application requirements to SoP, an admissions committee in each department comprised of SoP faculty and invited international professors select qualified students based on application information. The strength of the recommendation letters, the academic record at the applicant’s undergraduate/graduate institution, and your research agenda, with its fit within the general research interests of SoP’s faculty, are all evaluated, as evidence of intellectual ability and a commitment to a career in research.

2)         Evaluation Interview. Applications who passed the screening will receive an Evaluative Interview around April 2024, which may include one or more video interviews.

3)         The admission committee makes its recommendations for admission to SoP.

Step 5: Verification.

1)         On the basis of the SoP's examination results, Peking University's Admission Office of the Graduate School will review and make the preliminary admission list.

2)         The SoP will publish the preliminary admission list before the end of May 2024.

3)         The pre-admitted candidates should download and print the application form and, together with other required original application documents (except for degree diploma and reference letters), deliver or mail the materials to the International Student Division of Peking University before May 31, 2024.

Address: Room 330, International Student Division, New Sun Student Center, Peking University. Please note on the envelope: Graduate student application materials

4)         The International Student Division will issue an admission notice, visa application form (JW201/JW202) and other documents to the admitted students in late June 2024.

Step 6: Visa, Medical Insurance and Accommodation.

1)      Visa. Students admitted to Peking University should apply for a student visa at the Chinese Embassy/Consulate in their country with the letter of admission and the JW201/202 form. International students who will study in China for over 6 months are required to obtain an X1 visa, which will only be valid for 30 days upon arrival in China; upon arriving in China, they must come to the International Student Division and apply for a Residence Permit within 30 days in order to obtain a legal status in China.

2)      Medical Insurance. The Ministry of Education of China stipulates that all international students must be medically insured throughout their entire planned period of study. Students are required to purchase the Comprehensive Insurance Plan of Foreign Students on the day of registration. Students who do not have valid medical insurance will not be allowed to register.

3)      Accommodation. Accommodation will be provided to students with scholarships that cover accommodation. Self-funded students should find their own living accommodation on campus or off campus. Please note that students who live off campus must register with the local police station within 24 hours of arrival.

Enrollment

Admitted students will complete the registration procedures and enroll at Peking University in early September 2024. The specific time will be announced in the admission notice. All students should present their original degree certificates and submit their degree authentication as required upon registration for the enrollment qualification review. Students who fail the enrollment qualification review will be disqualified from enrollment at Peking University.

Scholarships

New international students may apply for the following scholarships:

1)      Chinese Government Scholarship (Type B): tuition waiver, for-free accommodation, monthly living expenses and medical insurance provided in accordance with the regulations.

2)      Beijing Government Scholarship for International Students: tuition subsidy.

3)      Peking University Scholarship for International Students: tuition waiver, monthly living expenses, medical insurance.

NB The evaluation of scholarships will be carried out in accordance with the relevant regulations of the government and the university. For more information, please pay close attention to notices posted at http://www.isd.pku.edu.cn. 

For more detailed information including the visa issue and other matters, please refer to 2024 Application Information for International Students (Master's Degree and Ph.D. Degree).

We are here to provide guidance and support both before and during your tenure at the School of Physics at Peking University. We eagerly anticipate welcoming you!

For further inquiries or additional details, please feel free to contact us.

Contact Information

School of Physics, Peking University

Academic Affairs Office

Email: wlyjszs@pku.edu.cn

Website: SCHOOL OF PHYSICS, PEKING UNIVERSITY (pku.edu.cn)

International Student Division, Peking University

Room 330, New Sun Student Center

Office of International Relations

Peking University, Beijing 100871

People's Republic of China

Tel: (+86-10) 6275 1230

Fax: (+86-10) 6275 1233

Email: study@pku.edu.cn

Website: www.isd.pku.edu.cn; www.oir.pku.edu.cn