IAS Program on Fundamental Physics (FP 2026)

Asia/Hong_Kong
IAS Program on Fundamental Physics HKUST (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
Description

Program: January 12-16, 2026

2026 IAS Program on Fundamental Physics (FP2026)


The discovery of the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in 2012 has fundamentally transformed the landscape of high-energy physics. This monumental achievement has shifted the focus of research towards not only precise measurements of the Higgs properties but also the exploration of new physics beyond the Standard Model. Key unresolved questions remain, including the naturalness problem, the nature of dark matter, the origin of cosmic baryon asymmetry, and the origin of neutrino mass. These fundamental puzzles are critical not only for our understanding of the universe but also for the development of future theoretical frameworks and experimental facilities.

In light of these challenges, there is a compelling need for a focused program that brings together experts from high-energy physics and related fields, to facilitate in-depth discussions on how next-generation experimental facilities, such as electron-positron colliders and high-energy proton-proton colliders, muon colliders, can be utilized to address these pressing issues. The e+e- collider, for instance, is envisioned as a precision machine designed specifically for detailed studies of Higgs physics, allowing researchers to measure its properties with unprecedented accuracy. High-energy colliders instead aim for the direct discovery of new physics, potentially revealing phenomena that could reshape our understanding of the universe.


Furthermore, the direct observation of gravitational waves by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in 2015 has ushered in a new era of astrophysical research. This groundbreaking event has opened new avenues for investigating the fundamental puzzles such as dark matter and cosmic baryon asymmetry through multi-messenger astronomy, where various types of astronomical signals - such as electromagnetic radiation, gravitational waves and neutrinos - are integrated to provide a comprehensive understanding of cosmic events. Moreover, technology for quantum precision measurement has made a groundbreaking leap in recent decade, achieving unprecedented sensitivity and accuracy through the principles of quantum mechanics. This advancement has made it a powerful tool for unraveling the mysteries in fundamental physics, capable of detecting weak signals and interactions that traditional sensors may overlook. As technology continues to evolve, quantum precision measurement is expected to probe the true nature of dark matter also and actively advance the exploration of other relevant frontiers. By merging insights from high-energy physics, multi-messenger astronomy, and quantum sensing, innovative research directions can be fostered and understanding of the universe deepened.


At the HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study, the program on high-energy physics (or fundamental physics) commenced in 2015. In 2026, a five-day conference will be hosted from January 12 to 16, which will emphasize discussions on future collider projects, and meanwhile bring together experts working on interdisciplinary topics that bridge high-energy physics with astronomy and quantum sensing. This collaborative approach is essential for enriching the overall discourse and promoting innovative research directions. By integrating insights from different fields, it is hoped to advance the collective understanding of the fundamental questions that lie at the heart of modern physics.

 

Confirmed Key Participants

Michael BENEDIKT   CERN 
Diego BLAS   Institut de Fisica d'Altes Energies
Dmitry BUDKER   Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz
Allen CALDWELL   Max Planck Institute for Physics
Tiziano CAMPORESI   Boston University
Csaba CSAKI   Cornell University
Kyle DAWSON   University of Utah
John ELLIS   King's College London
Brian FOSTER   University of Oxford
Giorgio GRATTA    Standford University
Miao HE   Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Andreas HOECKER   CERN
Karl JAKOBS   Universitaet Freiburg
Yi JIAO   Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jenny LIST   DESY
Xinchou LOU   Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Tatsuya NAKADA   EPFL
Xinhua PENG   University of Science and Technology of China
Surjeet RAJENDRAN   Johns Hopkins University
Andreas RINGWALD   DESY
Daniel SCHULTE   CERN
Yifang WANG   Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Bing ZHANG   The University of Hong Kong
Frank ZIMMERMANN   CERN

 

Important Notice (updated as of December 11, 2025):

We have been informed that some of our speakers have received emails from travel agencies regarding lodging arrangements for the conference. Please note that all official correspondence related to the conference will come from the Secretariat, using an email address that ends in @ust.hk.

If you receive any conference-related emails from addresses other than @ust.hk, we advise you not to respond, click on any links, or provide any personal or credit card information. For any questions, please contact us directly at
iasfp@ust.hk.

 

Group Photo

Organizers and the participants gather for a group photo.

 

Previous Programs

2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015

 

Program Secretariat:
Registration
HKUST IAS Program on Fundamental Physics (2026)
Participants
    • 08:25
      Conference Registration
    • 08:55
      Welcoming Remarks

      Speakers:
      Che Ting CHAN (Interim Director of HKUST IAS; Daniel C K Yu Professor of Science) &
      Tao LIU (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

    • Conference: Plenary Sessions: M-1 - High Energy Physics I IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      Convener: Tao LIU (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
    • 10:30
      Coffee Break
    • Conference: Plenary Sessions: M-2 - High Energy Physics II IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      Convener: Joao GUIMARAES DA COSTA (Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
    • 12:30
      Lunch (Self-arranged)
    • Conference: Parallel Sessions (Accelerator Physics): M-AP01: Accelerator Physics I IAS Lecture Theater (LT)

      IAS Lecture Theater (LT)

      Convener: Angeles FAUS-GOLFE (CNRS/IN2P3/IJCLab Université Paris-Saclay)
    • Conference: Parallel Sessions (Collider/Experiment/Detector): M-ED01: Collider Physics I IAS1038, 1/F

      IAS1038, 1/F

      IAS1038, 1/F, Lo Ka Chung Building, Lee Shau Kee Campus, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
      Convener: Lei ZHANG (Nanjing University)
      • 10
        Improved Constraints on Higgs Self-couplings in HEFT
        Speaker: Jian WANG (Shandong University)
      • 11
        Combination of ATLAS And CMS Searches for Higgs Boson Pair Production at 13 TeV
        Speaker: Bai-Hong ZHOU (Tsung-Dao Lee Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University)
      • 12
        Higgs self-coupling Measurement @ LHC
        Speaker: Yanping HUANG (Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
      • 13
        [Online via Zoom] Standard Model HZZ Polarization Measurement and WZγ Observation at CMS
        Speaker: Leyun GAO (Peking University)
    • Conference: Parallel Sessions (Particle Phenomena): M-PP01: Particle Phenomena I IAS2042, 2/F

      IAS2042, 2/F

      IAS2042, 2/F, Lo Ka Chung Building, Lee Shau Kee Campus, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
      Convener: Tao XU (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
      • 14
        Axion Modulations Save Large Field Inflation and Produce Nanohertz Gravitational Waves
        Speaker: Kin-Wang NG (Academia Sinica)
      • 15
        Small Instantons and the Post-inflationary QCD Axion in a Special Product GUT
        Speaker: Junxuan XU (Tsung-Dao Lee Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University)
      • 16
        High Reheating Temperature without Axion Domain
        Speaker: Yu-Cheng QIU (City University of Hong Kong)
      • 17
        A Non-linear Representation of General Scalar Extensions of the Standard Model for HEFT Matching
        Speaker: Huayang Song (Center for Theoretical Physics of the Universe, Institute for Basic Science)
      • 18
        Holographic Origins of the QCD Vacuum Angle and Axion
        Speaker: Taewook YOUN (Cornell University)
    • 15:40
      Coffee Break
    • Conference: Parallel Sessions (Collider/Experiment/Detector): M-ED02: Collider Physics II IAS1038, 1/F

      IAS1038, 1/F

      IAS1038, 1/F, Lo Ka Chung Building, Lee Shau Kee Campus, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
      Convener: Yang LIU (Sun Yat-Sen University)
      • 19
        BSM Search Potential at CEPC
        Speaker: Xuai ZHUANG (Chinese Academy of Sciences)
      • 20
        Heavy Flavor Opportunities @ CEPC
        Speaker: Shanzhen CHEN (Chinese Academy of Sciences)
      • 21
        Status of CEPC Hadronic Calorimeter
        Speaker: Haijun YANG (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)
      • 22
        Real Triplet Extension Radiative Correction to Higgs-strahlung in Future Colliders
        Speaker: Mohamed Younes SASSI (Tsung-Dao Lee Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University)
      • 23
        Two-pion Distribution Amplitudes and the H_{l4} Phenomena
        Speaker: Shan CHENG (Hunan University)
    • Conference: Parallel sessions (Astronomy & Dark Matters/Gravity): M-ADMG02: Astronomy & Dark Matters I IASLT, G/F

      IASLT, G/F

      Convener: Xiaoyong CHU (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)
      • 24
        Detecting Dark-Matter in Space - The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer
        Speaker: Hong-Hao ZHANG (Sun Yat-sen University)
      • 25
        [Online via Zoom] Polarization-Pulse Structure of Neutron Star X-ray Signals from Dark Sector Physics
        Speaker: Lingfeng LI (ICTP-AP & University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)
      • 26
        First Constraint on the Dimensionless Axion-Photon Coupling from Neutron Star Observations
        Speaker: Jun-Chen WANG (Peking University)
      • 27
        Probing Dark Matter with High-redshift Hydrogen
        Speaker: Tao XU (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
    • Conference: Parallel sessions (New Experiments/Technologies/Probes): M-NTP01: New Experiments/Technologies/Probes I IAS2042, 2/F

      IAS2042, 2/F

      IAS2042, 2/F, Lo Ka Chung Building, Lee Shau Kee Campus, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
      Convener: Sida LU (Sun Yat-sen University)
      • 28
        Recent Progress of DarkSHINE R&D
        Speaker: Xuliang ZHU (Tsung-Dao Lee Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University)
      • 29
        Probing Dark Particles in Neutrino Scattering Experiments
        Speaker: Ruofei FENG (Southeast University)
      • 30
        Reactor Detection of Dark Sector Particles
        Speaker: Jie TANG (Southeast University)
      • 31
        [Online via Zoom] Quantum artificial intelligence for pattern recognition at high-energy colliders: Tales of Three "Quantum's"
        Speaker: Hideki OKAWA (Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
    • Conference: Plenary Sessions: Tu-1 - Gravitational Waves IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      Convener: Michael RAMSEY-MUSOLF (Tsung-Dao Lee Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University & UMass Amherst)
      • 32
        GW Physics
        Speaker: Jonathan R. ELLIS (King's College London)
      • 33
        Detection of High-frequency Gravitational Waves
        Speaker: Diego BLAS (Institut de Fisica d'Altes Energies (IFAE))
    • 10:30
      Coffee Break
    • Conference: Plenary Sessions: Tu-2 - Astronomy / Cosmology IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      Convener: Jane DAI (The University of Hong Kong)
      • 34
        Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument - A New Breakthrough
        Speaker: Kyle DAWSON (The University of Utah)
      • 35
        FRB and Fudnamental Physics
        Speaker: Bing ZHANG (The University of Hong Kong)
    • 12:30
      Program Lunch (Self-arranged)
    • Conference: Parallel Sessions (Accelerator Physics): Tu-AP01: Accelerator Physics II IAS Lecture Theater (LT)

      IAS Lecture Theater (LT)

      Convener: Jie GAO (Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
    • Conference: Parallel Sessions (Collider/Experiment/Detector): Tu-ED01: Collider Detector I IAS1038, 1/F

      IAS1038, 1/F

      IAS1038, 1/F, Lo Ka Chung Building, Lee Shau Kee Campus, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
      Convener: Manqi RUAN (Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
      • 41
        Silicon Vertex Detector at CEPC
        Speaker: Zhijun LIANG (Chinese Academy of Sciences)
      • 42
        Development of HVCMOS-based CEPC Inner Tracker
        Speaker: Zijun XU (Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
      • 43
        Overview of the CEPC Outer Tracker and Recent Progress in Key Detector Technologies
        Speaker: Jiajian TEOH (Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
      • 44
        Overview of LHCb Mighty Tracker
        Speaker: Yanyan GAO (The University of Edinburgh)
      • 45
        Progress on TPC Technology for e⁺e⁻ Collider and Neutrino Detection
        Speaker: Huirong QI (Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
    • Conference: Parallel Sessions (Particle Phenomena): Tu-PP01: Particle Phenomena II IAS2042, 2/F

      IAS2042, 2/F

      IAS2042, 2/F, Lo Ka Chung Building, Lee Shau Kee Campus, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
      Convener: Bin YAN (Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
      • 46
        Can a Pseudoscalar with a Mass of 365 GeV in Two-Higgs-doublet Models Explain the CMS t t Excess?
        Speaker: Kingman CHEUNG (National Tsing Hua University)
      • 47
        Applying Strong Dynamics to Dark Matter Phenomenology
        Speaker: Xiaoyong CHU (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)
      • 48
        Sub-GeV Sterile Neutrino as a Probe of Neutrino Mass Generation in the Minimal Left-Right Symmetric Model
        Speaker: Sida LU (Tel Aviv University)
      • 49
        Loop-level Lepton Flavor Violation in the Minimal Left-right Dymmetric Model
        Speaker: Yongchao ZHANG (Southeast University)
      • 50
        Interplay between Electroweak Baryogenesis and Collider Experiments
        Speaker: Yanda WU (Tsung-Dao Lee Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University)
    • 15:40
      Coffee Break
    • Conference: Parallel Sessions (Accelerator Physics): Tu3-AP02: Accelerator Physics III IAS Lecture Theater (LT)

      IAS Lecture Theater (LT)

      Convener: Wei LU (Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
    • Conference: Parallel Sessions (Collider/Experiment/Detector): Tu-ED02: Collider Detector II IAS1038, 1/F

      IAS1038, 1/F

      IAS1038, 1/F, Lo Ka Chung Building, Lee Shau Kee Campus, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
      Convener: Joao GUIMARAES DA COSTA (Chinese Academy of Sciences)
    • Conference: Parallel sessions (Astronomy & Dark Matters/Gravity): Tu-ADMG02: Astronomy & Dark Matters II IAS2042, 2/F

      IAS2042, 2/F

      Convener: Yiming ZHONG (City University of Hong Kong)
      • 61
        Mapping the nature of dark matter with extremely magnified stars
        Speaker: Sung Kei LI (The University of Hong Kong)
      • 62
        Measurements of Cosmic Proton Flux through Neutron Monitors Using Deep Networks and Imputation Techniques in the AMS-02 Era
        Speaker: Pengwei ZHAO (Sun Yat-sen University)
      • 63
        Probing Ultra Dense Substructures with Gravitational Lensing of Fast Radio Bursts
        Speaker: Yuxuan HE (City University of Hong Kong)
      • 64
        Probing the nature of dark matter using strongly lensed gravitational waves from binary black holes
        Speaker: Souvik JANA (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)
    • Conference: Plenary Sessions: W-1 - High Energy Physics III IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      Convener: Brian FOSTER (University of Oxford)
    • 10:30
      Coffee Break
    • Conference: Plenary Sessions: W-2 - High Energy Physics IV IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      Convener: Kirill PROKOFIEV (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
    • 12:30
      Self-arranged Lunch
    • Conference: Plenary Sessions: W-3 - New Technologies & New Probes I IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      Convener: Liantao WANG (University of Chicago)
      • 69
        Axion Physics and Detection - Overview
        Speaker: Andreas RINGWALD (DESY)
      • 70
        Searching for Light Bosons and New Forces with New Technology
        Speaker: Surjeet RAJENDRAN (Johns Hopkins University)
    • 15:30
      Coffee Break
    • Conference: Plenary Sessions: W-4 - New Technologies & New Probes II IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      Convener: Yue ZHAO (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
      • 71
        Quantum Sensing and Its Applications for Exploring Fundamental Physics
        Speaker: Dmitry BUDKER (Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz)
      • 72
        Quantum Probes for Fundamental Physics
        Speaker: Xinhua PENG (University of Science and Technology of China)
    • 18:00
      Arrangements for Program Banquet
      • Coach to Sai Kung departs from IAS at 6:15 pm
      • Return Trip departs at 9:15 pm (Sai Kung => HKUST Conference Lodge => The Royal Garden Kowloon East)
    • 19:00
      Program Banquet (For Organizers/Speakers/Invited Guests Only)
    • Conference: Plenary Sessions: Th 1 - High Energy Physics V IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      Convener: Jie GAO (Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
    • 10:30
      Coffee Break
    • Conference: Plenary Sessions: Th 2 - High Energy Physics VI IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      Convener: Angeles FAUS-GOLFE (CNRS/IN2P3/IJCLab Université Paris-Saclay)
      • 74
        HALHF Project
        Speaker: Brian FOSTER (University of Oxford)
      • 75
        Alive project
        Speaker: Allen CALDWELL (Max Planck Institute for Physics)
    • 12:30
      Self-arranged Lunch
    • Conference: Parallel Sessions (Accelerator Physics): Th-AP01: Accelerator Physics IV IAS Lecture Theater (LT)

      IAS Lecture Theater (LT)

      Convener: Maria Enrica BIAGINI (INFI)
    • Conference: Parallel Sessions (Collider/Experiment/Detector): Th-ED01: Collider Physics III IAS1038, 1/F

      IAS1038, 1/F

      IAS1038, 1/F, Lo Ka Chung Building, Lee Shau Kee Campus, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
      Convener: Lingfeng LI (ICTP-AP & University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)
      • 81
        Precise determination of the strong coupling constant from collider data
        Speaker: Xiaoyuan ZHANG (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
      • 82
        Probing light-quark dipole operators with nucleon energy correlators
        Speaker: Yingsheng HUANG (Central South University)
      • 84
        Heavy Long-lived Dark Vector Via a Gluonic Portal
        Speaker: Qiyuan GAO (ICTP-AP & University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)
    • Conference: Parallel Sessions (Quantum): Th-QM01: Quantum IAS2042, 2/F

      IAS2042, 2/F

      IAS2042, 2/F, Lo Ka Chung Building, Lee Shau Kee Campus, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
      Convener: Ying-Ying LI (Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
      • 85
        Quantum Entanglement at Higgs Factory
        Speaker: Hao ZHANG (Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
      • 86
        Probing new physics and quantum entanglement through QCD spin effects at colliders
        Speaker: Bin YAN (Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
      • 87
        Decoherence as renormalization group flow: quantum information loss in high energy collisions
        Speaker: Dingyu SHAO (Fudan University)
      • 88
        Quantum Tomography and Entanglement in HZZ
        Speaker: Andrew Michael LEVIN (Peking University)
    • 15:40
      Coffee Break
    • Conference: Parallel Sessions (Accelerator Physics): Th-AP02: Accelerator Physics V IAS Lecture Theater (LT)

      IAS Lecture Theater (LT)

      Convener: Frank ZIMMERMANN (CERN)
    • Conference: Parallel sessions (Astronomy & Dark Matters/Gravity): Th-ADMG02: Gravity & Field Theory IAS2042, 2/F

      IAS2042, 2/F

      Convener: Kin-Wang NG (Academia Sinica)
      • 93
        Towards Quantum Gravity as the Theory of General Quantum Relativity or Q-number Geometrodynamics
        Speaker: Kong OTTO (National Central University)
      • 94
        Modified Theories of Gravity, Parity, and the Dark Sector
        Speaker: Tatsuya DANIEL (McGill University)
      • 95
        Interact or Twist: Cosmological Correlators from Field Redefinitions Revisited
        Speaker: Xiangwei WANG (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
      • 96
        Real-Time Simulation of Asymmetry Generation in Fermion-Bubble Collisions
        Speaker: Ying-Ying LI (Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
    • Conference: Parallel sessions (New Experiments/Technologies/Probes): Th-NTP02: New Experiments/Technologies/Probes II IAS1038, 1/F

      IAS1038, 1/F

      IAS1038, 1/F, Lo Ka Chung Building, Lee Shau Kee Campus, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
      Convener: Christina GAO (Southern University of Science and Technology)
    • Conference: Plenary Sessions: F-1 - High energy Physics VII IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      Convener: Frank ZIMMERMANN (CERN)
    • 10:30
      Coffee Break
    • Conference: Plenary Sessions: F-2 - Panel Session IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      IAS Lecutre Theater (LT)

      Convener: Tao LIU (Moderator) (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
      • 104
        Panel Discussion

        Moderator: Tao LIU (HKUST)
        Panel members:
        - Michael BENEDIKT (CERN)
        - Brian FOSTER (University of Oxford)
        - Andreas HOECKER (CERN)
        - Tatsuya NAKADA (EPFL)
        - Yifang WANG (Chinese Academy of Sciences)