Father of China's hydrogen bomb, Yu Min, dies aged 93

World
Europe

00:34

Yu Min, a Chinese nuclear physicist regarded as the "father of China's hydrogen bomb," died on Wednesday in Beijing at the age of 93.

Yu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), committed himself to a career in national defense science and technology.

Born in north China's Hebei Province in 1926, Yu was admitted to Peking University with distinction. He showed extraordinary talent in physics, "better than anyone else I've ever seen," said his mentor Zhang Zongsui.

CGTN infographic by Liu Shaozhen

Yu was first involved in the research of atomic nuclear theory in the Institute of Modern Physics, CAS, then headed by famous Chinese physicist Qian Sanqiang. What he put forward with his collaborator about the model of nuclear coherent structure filled a blank in China's nuclear theory.

Name remained secret for 28 years

However, Yu didn't hesitate when he was commissioned to switch to the theoretical research of the hydrogen bomb in 1961.

He concealed his name for the next 28 years because the nature of his work was highly classified.

"I didn't know Yu did such highly confidential work," his wife said.

Yu Min, the Chinese nuclear physicist regarded as the "father of China's hydrogen bomb." /Xinhua Photo

In order to develop a self-reliant hydrogen bomb as soon as possible, Yu worked tirelessly, making breakthroughs and forming a complete design of the hydrogen bomb after three months of calculations.

The first hydrogen bomb was successfully detonated on June 17, 1967, two years and eight months after China's first atomic bomb explosion, making China the world's fastest country to realize the progress, as it took over 8.5 years for France, over seven years for the U.S., and over 4.5 years for the UK.

Since the 1980s, Yu's team breakthroughs in key technologies in the development of second-generation nuclear weapons, bringing China's technology in this field to a new level.

Indifferent to fame

Yu was awarded the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" Achievement Medal in 1999, and honored with China's top science and technology award in 2014. His latest title was "reform pioneer" in 2018 for his outstanding contributions to promoting China's reform and opening-up.

Despite his contribution to the country's nuclear weapon development and multiple honors, Yu turned down the fame of being called the "father of the hydrogen bomb," but attributed the achievements to nationwide efforts.

"One's name will fade with time. I can contribute my little energy to the country's prosperity. That's enough to console myself," said Yu.