Our group at Central China Normal University (CCNU) is devoted to advancing our understanding of the strong interaction, one of the four fundamental forces of nature. Using the framework of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) and leveraging cutting-edge computational techniques, we investigate the rich and complex dynamics of strongly interacting matter. Our primary tool is lattice QCD, a first-principles approach to solving the equations of QCD in the non-perturbative regime, where phenomena such as confinement and chiral symmetry breaking emerge.
Our research addresses fundamental questions about the behavior of matter under extreme conditions, including high temperatures, high densities, and strong magnetic fields. These conditions are relevant to the early universe, the interior of neutron stars, and the matter created in heavy-ion collisions at facilities like the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). By studying the QCD phase diagram, the chiral phase transition, and the properties of hadrons and quark-gluon plasma, we aim to deepen our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of the universe. We are actively engaged in theoretical and computational developments, such as exploring novel observables, and connecting our findings with experimental results. Our work supports major experimental programs worldwide, including those at RHIC, LHC, and the future Electron-Ion Colliders.
Our group benefits from CCNU’s state-of-the-art computational resources, including the Nuclear Science Computing Center, which houses 500 GPUs with a theoretical peak performance of 5 PFlops/s. These resources enable us to perform large-scale simulations that push the boundaries of what can be achieved in lattice QCD. Through our work, we strive to uncover the deep connections between QCD and the visible universe, fostering a greater understanding of the forces that govern matter at the most fundamental level.
The group is led by Professor Dr. Heng-Tong Ding, a faculty member at the Institute of Particle Physics, Central China Normal University (CCNU). Prof. Heng-Tong Ding is a recipient of the Distinguished Young Researcher Award from the National Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and has been honored with the Hu Jiming Award for Science and Education in recognition of his outstanding research contributions and dedication to mentoring students.