Renowned theoretical physicist from the University of Bristol Prof. Sir Michael Berry was invited to speak at Southern University of Science and Technology. He lectured about “Nature’s Optics and Our Understanding of Light.” Vice President Tang Tao presided over the lecture.

Sir Michael Berry is an Emeritus Professor of Physics from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. He has won many awards, including the Maxwell Award, the Dirac Prize, the Wolf Prize, and the Lorenz Prize. He is one of the most prestigious theoretical physicists of today. The famous concept of Berry Phase is named after him.

Professor Berry first analyzed the optical phenomena that we commonly see in life such as rainbows, water surface flicker, and solar flares. He moved on to the mathematical and physical concepts behind these phenomena from a different perspective. His analysis included mathematical asymptotics, complex angular momentum, polarization singularities, Dirac points, and geometric phases. Sir Michael explained how to establish the deep connection between these phenomena and mechanisms, emphasizing that physicists should explore not only the nature of physical phenomena but also the links between them.

Sir Michael answered numerous questions from the faculty and students following his lecture. While answering the questions, he further elaborated the profound principles contained in ordinary optics and put forward his own unique insights.