The inaugural IOPP Colloquium organized by the Institute of Particle Physics (IOPP) at Central China Normal University (CCNU) was held on September 2, 2025 at 10:30 AM in Lecture Hall 9409 of Building 9. Professor Tetsuo Hatsuda, Distinguished Professor at the University of Tokyo, delivered a lecture titled "From Quarks to Neutron Stars", addressing over 100 faculty members, researchers, and students. The event also drew scholars from more than 30 global universities and research institutions participating in the ongoing Central China Center for Nuclear Theory (C3NT) 2-Week program.
Professor Tetsuo Hatsuda delivers the inauguaral IOPP Colloquium
Professor Hatsuda began by addressing the fundamental connection between particle physics and astrophysics, emphasizing that neutron stars—cosmic structures with masses comparable to the Sun but radii of only ~10 km—serve as natural laboratories for studying quark matter under extreme conditions. He highlighted the 2017 detection of gravitational waves and electromagnetic signals from a neutron star merger, noting its transformative impact on multi-messenger astronomy and the study of neutron star equations of state.
Professor Tetsuo Hatsuda delivers the inaugural IOPP Colloquium
Drawing on his research, Professor Hatsuda presented advancements in the study of Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) and Neutron Star Dynamics, linking microscopic interactions in QGP to macroscopic neutron star evolution, as well as Gravitational Wave Signal Inversion, decoding dense matter properties through waveform analysis. By integrating theoretical models, numerical simulations, and observational data, he presented a comprehensive framework connecting "micro-scale particle interactions → dense celestial dynamics → cosmological evolution."
Following the lecture, a roundtable discussion with Professor Hatsuda was arranged with first-year Ph.D. students at IOPP. He shared insights from his tenure at RIKEN (Japan’s largest research institute), advocating for "cross-scale methodologies" that integrate accelerator experiments with astrophysical observations. His advice to young researchers—"Cultivate curiosity about the interplay between the infinitesimal and the cosmic"—resonated with the students.
The IOPP Colloquium is an upgraded seminar series from the former IOPP Forum. The pedagogical lectures are intended for the broad audience of the whole institdute to promote interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration.This sucessful inaugural event underscores IOPP’s commitment to "international, cross-disciplinary, and forefront" research in particle and nuclear physics.
Professor Xin-nian Wang, Director of C3NT, presented Professor Tetsuo Hatsuda with the Inaugural IOPP Colloquium Commemorative plaque
Tetsuo Hatsuda earned his PhD from Kyoto University in 1986 and currently serves as the Executive Director of Science at RlKEN and is an Emeritus Professor of the University of Tokyo, His distinguished career includes key roles such as Program Director at RIKEN iTHEMS and Chief Scientist at the RIKEN NishinCenter. He has held professorial positions at the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University, following research appointments at CERN, KEK, and multiple institutions in the United States. Prof. Hatsuda has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including being named an International Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2024), the Toray Science and Technology Award (2016), and Japan’s Commendation for Science and Technology (2014). He is also a recipient of the Tsukuba Prize, the Nishina Memorial Prize, and the Nishinomiya Yukawa Memorial Prize.
