Prof. Qing-Feng Sun | Physics and Astronomy | Best Researcher Award

Professor from School of Physics, Peking University, China

Prof. Qing-Feng Sun is an internationally renowned physicist specializing in quantum transport phenomena. Currently a professor at the International Center for Quantum Materials (ICQM), Peking University, China, his research spans quantum dots, topological insulators, superconductors, graphene systems, and spin-orbit interactions. He is widely respected for his contributions to understanding fundamental quantum processes and has produced a substantial body of highly cited work in top-tier journals. Prof. Sun has significantly advanced the theoretical understanding of spin currents, quantum Hall effects, and mesoscopic transport systems. His career, marked by early academic excellence and international postdoctoral experience, has positioned him at the forefront of condensed matter research. Over the years, Prof. Sun has actively mentored PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, helping build a strong research community around quantum transport topics. His work not only addresses fundamental physics but also provides theoretical frameworks that may guide future technological innovations in quantum computing, spintronics, and advanced materials. Recognized by several prestigious national awards, Prof. Sun’s standing in the scientific community reflects both the depth and impact of his research. His continued output and leadership make him an exemplary candidate for top research honors, including the Best Researcher Award.

Professional Profile

• Scopus Profile

Education

Prof. Qing-Feng Sun completed all his higher education at Peking University, one of China’s top academic institutions. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physics between 1991 and 1995, developing a solid foundation in fundamental physical theories and experimental methods. Building on this, he pursued his doctoral studies at the same university from 1995 to 2000, obtaining a Ph.D. in Physics. During his doctoral work, Prof. Sun focused on condensed matter physics, particularly quantum transport, which would become the central theme of his later career. His Ph.D. research was so distinguished that it earned him the Excellent National Doctoral Dissertation award in 2002, signaling early recognition of his research talents by the Chinese scientific community. This rigorous educational background gave Prof. Sun both the theoretical grounding and research discipline needed to excel in complex and abstract areas of quantum physics. His time at Peking University, a hub for China’s elite scientific minds, positioned him well for postdoctoral work abroad and for a lifelong academic career. His education continues to underpin his innovative contributions to the global field of quantum transport.

Professional Experience

Prof. Qing-Feng Sun’s professional experience reflects both international engagement and long-term academic leadership. After completing his Ph.D. in 2000, he pursued postdoctoral research at McGill University in Canada (2000–2003), where he expanded his expertise and built important international collaborations. Returning to China, he was appointed Professor at the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IoP, CAS) from 2003 to 2013. During this period, he further developed his research profile, producing numerous influential publications and establishing himself as a leading figure in quantum transport. In 2013, he moved to Peking University’s International Center for Quantum Materials (ICQM), where he has continued as a full professor. At ICQM, he leads research teams, mentors doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows, and contributes to China’s rising prominence in condensed matter and quantum materials research. His positions reflect a balance of hands-on research, supervision, and international scientific collaboration. Prof. Sun’s ability to sustain a dynamic and productive research career over more than two decades, across both national and international settings, highlights his resilience, adaptability, and strong academic leadership.

Research Interests

Prof. Qing-Feng Sun’s research interests are centered on quantum transport phenomena, a core topic in condensed matter physics. His work spans quantum dots, topological insulators, superconductors, graphene, spin-orbit coupled systems, and even biomolecular systems like DNA. A common theme across his research is the investigation of how electrons behave under quantum mechanical rules when moving through nanoscale systems or complex materials. He explores the interplay of spin, charge, and quantum coherence, advancing understanding of phenomena like the quantum spin Hall effect, Andreev reflections, persistent spin currents, and spin-selective electron transport. Prof. Sun’s research also connects to key emerging areas, including quantum information processing and spintronics, providing theoretical frameworks that support experimental progress. His interdisciplinary curiosity has led him to explore bio-inspired systems, such as electron transport in DNA helices, reflecting an openness to cross-disciplinary questions. With deep theoretical insights and a focus on explaining experimental observations, Prof. Sun’s research interests place him at the intersection of fundamental physics and future technological innovation. His work continues to shape how the scientific community understands and applies quantum transport phenomena in various cutting-edge fields.

Research Skills

Prof. Qing-Feng Sun possesses advanced research skills in theoretical and computational condensed matter physics. His expertise includes analytical modeling of quantum transport systems, developing and solving complex quantum mechanical equations, and applying advanced mathematical frameworks to explain experimental findings. He is highly skilled in working with quantum dots, graphene, topological insulators, and superconducting systems, understanding the role of spin-orbit coupling, quantum coherence, and dephasing effects. Prof. Sun’s ability to connect theoretical models with experimental realities allows him to propose innovative hypotheses and guide empirical investigations. Beyond technical modeling, he has strong skills in academic writing and scientific communication, producing clear, rigorous, and widely cited publications in leading physics journals. His mentoring experience reflects additional skills in guiding research projects, supervising experimental collaborations, and training young researchers in advanced topics. He also demonstrates strong collaborative abilities, having worked across international research groups and maintained productive partnerships. Altogether, Prof. Sun’s research skills position him as a leading figure capable of driving forward both theoretical breakthroughs and meaningful contributions to the broader scientific community.

Awards and Honors

Prof. Qing-Feng Sun has received several prestigious honors that underscore his excellence and impact in the field of physics. In 2002, he was awarded the Excellent National Doctoral Dissertation, marking national recognition for the exceptional quality of his Ph.D. work. This early achievement set the tone for a career marked by consistent excellence. In 2005, he was named an NSFC Distinguished Young Scholar by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, an honor given to young researchers demonstrating outstanding creativity and potential for long-term impact. Later, in 2013, he was appointed a Cheung Kong Scholar, one of the most prestigious academic titles in China, reflecting his leadership and influential contributions to the country’s scientific landscape. These awards highlight not only Prof. Sun’s individual research achievements but also his broader role in advancing China’s standing in global scientific research. Together, they serve as testament to his sustained innovation, productivity, and reputation in the scientific community. His record of honors reinforces his position as a top-tier candidate for further recognition through international awards like the Best Researcher Award.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Prof. Qing-Feng Sun stands out as an exceptional researcher whose career combines deep theoretical insights, a strong publication record, international collaborations, and national recognition. His work on quantum transport has had a significant impact on the global scientific community, offering key advances in understanding quantum coherence, spin transport, and the behavior of complex materials. With a background rooted in rigorous training at Peking University, international postdoctoral experience, and two decades of academic leadership, Prof. Sun has demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and innovation. While there is room for even greater interdisciplinary outreach and engagement with applied or technological research, his achievements already firmly establish him as a leader in his field. His numerous awards, high-profile publications, and contributions to mentoring the next generation of physicists reflect a career of sustained excellence. Prof. Sun is unquestionably a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award, representing not just personal scientific achievement but also the advancement of physics at both national and international levels.

Publications Top Notes

1. Title: Nanoscale Polymorph Engineering of Metal-Correlated Insulator Junctions in Monolayer NbSe₂
   Authors: Chen, Yaoyao; Dai, Yixin; Zhang, Yu; Sun, Qingfeng; Wang, Yeliang
   Journal: ACS Nano
   Year: 2025

2. Title: Superconducting lens and Josephson effect in AA-stacked bilayer graphene
   Authors: Lu, Weitao; Fang, Tiefeng; Sun, Qingfeng
   Journal: Physical Review B
   Year: 2025

3. Title: Orbital hybridization in graphene-based artificial atoms
   Authors: Mao, Yue; Ren, Huiying; Zhou, Xiaofeng; He, Lin; Sun, Qingfeng
   Journal: Nature
   Year: 2025

4. Title: Frustration-enhanced persistent currents in correlated trimer nanorings
   Authors: Fang, Tiefeng; Lu, Weitao; Guo, Aimin; Sun, Qingfeng
   Journal: Physical Review B
   Year: 2025

5. Title: Design of a Josephson diode based on double magnetic impurities
   Authors: Sun, Yufei; Mao, Yue; Sun, Qingfeng
   Journal: Physical Review B
   Year: 2025

6. Title: Edge supercurrent in Josephson junctions based on topological materials (Review)
   Authors: Qi, Junjie; Chen, Chuizhen; Song, Juntao; Sun, Qingfeng; Xie, Xincheng
   Year: 2025
   Citations: 2

7. Title: Spin splitting Nernst effect in altermagnets
   Authors: Yi, Xing Jian; Mao, Yue; Lu, Xiancong; Sun, Qingfeng
   Journal: Physical Review B
   Year: 2025

8. Title: Altermagnetism-induced parity anomaly in weak topological insulators
   Authors: Wan, Yuhao; Sun, Qingfeng
   Journal: Physical Review B
   Year: 2025
   Citations: 1

9. Title: Tunable Quantum Confinement in Individual Nanoscale Quantum Dots via Interfacial Engineering
   Authors: Ren, Huiying; Mao, Yue; Ren, Yaning; Sun, Qingfeng; He, Lin
   Journal: ACS Nano
   Year: 2025
   Citations: 1

10. Title: Phase transitions in quantum dot-Majorana zero mode coupling systems (Open access)
    Authors: Mao, Yue; Sun, Qingfeng
    Journal: SciPost Physics Core
    Year: 2025