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QUBITWIRE 100

Chao-Yang Lu

Chair Professor

University of Science and Technology of China

University of Science and Technology of China
China · work baseIdentification checked 2026-09-19
WHY INCLUDED

Contributed to the Jiuzhang photonic sampling experiments and their programmable successor, advancing the experimental study of quantum computational advantage with large optical systems.

arXiv / SciencearXiv / Physical Review LettersUniversity of Science and Technology of China

Lu adds a distinct experimental perspective to the directory: photonic sampling as a test of quantum computational advantage. He is a co-author of the 2020 Jiuzhang result and the 2021 phase-programmable follow-up, which brought together squeezed-light sources, interferometers and photon detection. His contribution is represented through those original papers and his verified USTC identification. The profile keeps the claim bounded: these experiments address specialized sampling problems, and their published comparisons depend on the classical algorithms and assumptions used at the time.

University of Science and Technology of ChinaarXiv / SciencearXiv / Physical Review Letters

Defining contributions

Work, in context
  1. 2020

    Jiuzhang photonic sampling

    Lu co-authored the experiment “Quantum computational advantage using photons,” published in Science. The team used squeezed-light inputs, a 100-mode interferometer and photon detection to perform Gaussian boson sampling, observing up to 76 output photon clicks. The paper evaluates samples against several alternative hypotheses.

    Co-author of the Jiuzhang paper; the experiment and validation are attributed to the full research team.

    Source-supported recordarXiv / Science
  2. 2021

    Programmable Gaussian boson sampling

    Lu co-authored the Jiuzhang 2.0 work using stimulated squeezed light. The experiment reported up to 113 detection events in a 144-mode photonic circuit and allowed input phases to be tuned. The paper also introduced a validation method using smaller, computationally tractable subsystems.

    Co-author of the Jiuzhang 2.0 paper; the programmable sampling result is attributed to the full research team.

    Source-supported recordarXiv / Physical Review Letters
  3. 2022

    Chair professorship at USTC

    USTC’s institutional biography records Lu’s chair professorship from June 2022. The same profile documents his research leadership roles in Shanghai and the quantum-computing division of the Hefei National Laboratory, providing institutional context for his experimental work without attributing every result of those organizations to him.

    Personal appointment and institutional roles recorded by USTC.

    Source-supported recordUniversity of Science and Technology of China

Keep in perspective

Gaussian boson sampling is a specialized task, not general-purpose quantum computing. Published advantage estimates depend on classical baselines and do not establish a permanent speed record. Results are team achievements.

Follow the evidence

3 sources

Primary papers, institutional records and attributed announcements. Each source supports the claims linked above.

  • University of Science and Technology of ChinaInstitutional profile

    Chao-Yang Lu

    Identity, China institutional address, chair professorship from June 2022 and dated research-leadership roles.

    Checked 2026-09-19
  • arXiv / SciencePrimary research

    Quantum computational advantage using photons

    Lu authorship, 2020 experiment, 100 optical modes, up to 76 photon clicks and sampling-validation hypotheses.

    Published 2020-12-03 · Checked 2026-09-19
  • arXiv / Physical Review LettersPrimary research

    Phase-Programmable Gaussian Boson Sampling Using Stimulated Squeezed Light

    Lu authorship, 144-mode circuit, up to 113 detection events, tunable input phases and subsystem-based validation.

    Published 2021-06-29 · Checked 2026-09-19
QubitWire editorial · Content edition 2026-09-19.1Independent coverage. Inclusion does not imply endorsement.