Exclusive | Nobel Physics Laureate Advises Governments to Think Long Term

As Taiwan pursues its transformation into an AI hub,a critical question emerges as the nation's brightest university graduates gravitate toward Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company: who will champion basic science? Nobel Prize-winning physicist Serge Haroche, during his first visit to Taiwan, warned in an exclusive interview with Storm Media that "fundamental science is extremely important—it forms the foundation of all applications. Without fundamental science, healthy research and development become impossible. Government policymakers must understand that fundamental science operates on different timescales than political activities, and a significant gap exists between politicians' and scientists' perspectives."

Haroche visited Taiwan to deliver a lecture at Academia Sinica on January 16, outlining a century ofbreakthroughs in quantum physics. 

The 81-year-old Haroche serves as Chair of Quantum Physics at Collège de France. His groundbreaking experimental methods enabled humanity's first measurement and manipulation of individual quantum systems, advancing laser spectroscopy development and earning him the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics alongside David J. Wineland.

Academia Sinica Vice President Mei-Yin Chou emphasized Haroche's pioneering contributions to quantum optics and Cavity QED, noting how he resolved the century-old challenge of isolating and observing individual quantum systems, thereby establishing foundations for contemporary quantum science and precision measurement.

Born into a Jewish family in Casablanca, Morocco's largest city, Haroche's father practiced law while his mother's family were Russian immigrants. At age twelve, his family relocated to Paris. When the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite in 1957, igniting the space race, Haroche developed intense interests in astronomy and mathematics during secondary school, aspiring to become an astrophysicist. He recalled his excitement at calculating satellite velocities and rocket speeds to the moon.

During his studies at École Normale Supérieure (ENS), Haroche became captivated by the quantum world's mystery and beauty, prompting his transition to quantum physics.

Reflecting on his career choice, Haroche acknowledged, "It was partly serendipitous." He encountered Claude Cohen-Tannoudji (1997 Nobel Prize in Physics), describing him as the most influential figure in his life—a charismatic and passionate teacher who taught relativity and quantum physics, ultimately becoming his doctoral advisor and guiding him toward quantum physics.

Regarding his Nobel Prize success, Haroche modestly stated, "There's no secret! I don't recommend young people aim for Nobel Prizes, as it's largely fortune—dependent on what you're doing and what your competitors are doing."

Haroche emphasized, "Many people excel in scientific fields like physics, chemistry, and biology without receiving awards. What matters most is genuinely loving your research, not pursuing awards. The crucial element is passion and purpose in your work. When opportunity arrives, you seize it."

Haroche credits his fortune to joining teams led by highly charismatic and passionate teachers who provided tremendous inspiration. When lasers first emerged, awaiting widespread application, he intuited their fundamental importance for basic science. "Lasers are miraculous light sources," he observed. "In retrospect, laser development has exceeded our expectations dramatically."

Haroche became president of Collège de France in 2012, currently serving as Chair of Quantum Physics. Founded in 1530, the college is one of France's oldest academic institutions, championing open access—requiring no registration, awarding no diplomas, and maintaining public accessibility. The institution has cultivated over ten Nobel Prize laureates.

Having devoted his lifetime toexploring the quantum world, Haroche reflected, "Scientific inquiry knows no limits. When you believe you've solved one problem, you immediately encounter another. Each new instrument and apparatus for exploring the world leads to continuous discovery—an endless process. This represents generational transmission. Seeing young people conduct research brings me great joy and desire to participate, though that's more challenging now."

Addressing perceptions of quantum physics as abstract, Haroche explained, "Quantum physics is concrete, not abstract. The quantum world represents the microscopic realm, enabling us to manufacture countless everyday devices. Most people simply don't realize these involve quantum physics—they don't understand atomic, photonic, and molecular operations, but these are real, not abstract."

Quantum physics studies matter's most fundamental behavioral levels—atoms, photons, and subatomic particles smaller than atoms. Haroche noted that understanding quantum physics enables the invention of new devices that transform people's lives. Everyday technologies like GPS, medical MRI, and lasers all utilize quantum physics discoveries.

Austrian theoretical physicist Erwin Schrödinger wrote his famous equation in January 1926, exploring the quantum world and establishing quantum mechanics, earning the 1933 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Noting that it had been a century since Schrödinger's famous equation, Haroche observed that numerous scientists have pioneered quantum physics knowledge with creativity comparable to Renaissance artists like da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael in the intervening hundred years.

Reflecting on breakthrough moments during his half-century research career, Haroche recalled post-doctoral work using lasers for experiments with special atomic states. Rydberg atoms—large atoms sensitive to environmental conditions, functioning like antennas—were placed in mirror-composed cavities, revealing extraordinarily tight coupling with cavity fields. This enabled studying individual atom interactions with single photons and light particles.

Haroche explained, "When we recognized this possibility, we knew we had found a new direction. That day it happened, and we proceeded forward."

This initiated a series of experiments, ultimately achieving complete control over individual photons in cavities, leading to his Nobel Prize.

Responding to Academia Sinica researchers' questions about scientific passion, Haroche identified curiosity as his primary motivation. Is it possible? If so, why not try? He sought to challenge what theoretical physicist Schrödinger deemed "impossible."

Since 1965, laser development and applications have exceeded many expectations, with 43 Nobel Prize winners in Physics and Chemistry utilizing lasers for discoveries. Haroche anticipates continued scientific advancement in this field.

As a quantum physicist, Haroche identified several challenges confronting basic science, such as knowledge gaps on big questions like the connection exists between general relativity and quantum physics. 

Separating fundamental from applied science proves difficult since all applied science derives from fundamental science, he notes.

Regarding external challenges, Haroche observed that many governments currently adopt anti-science policies due to widespread misinformation and conspiracy theories, creating major challenges for both fundamental and applied sciences.

Attacks on science harm not only science itself, but also human health and entire societies, asclimate change and environmental damage harm everything needed to maintain planetary health, he argues. 

"Fundamental science is extremely important—it forms the foundation of all applications. Without fundamental science, healthy research and development cannot exist."

Haroche emphasized that government policymakers must understand that developing fundamental science requires attracting intelligent young people. He stresses that stimulating children's curiosity towards scientific ideas and questions is essential.

Regarding the transition from fundamental to applied science, Haroche noted historical cases show it typically requires 30 to 40 years on average. 

Developing fundamental science requires extended timescales, which government policymakers should understand differ from the timescales of politics, he notes. 

Reviewing half a century of scientific development, Haroche acknowledged that his generation of scientists has bequeathed positive contributions while leaving numerous problems for future generations. Through quantum physics advances and biological DNA discoveries, scientists have achieved breakthroughs in physics, biology, medicine, and astronomy, accumulating profound knowledge.

Simultaneously,Haroche analyzes that scientific progress creates challenges for subsequent generations such as nuclear weapon proliferation stemming from nuclear reaction discoveries and overuse of fossil fuels originating from the Industrial Revolution. 

Regarding AI's future development, Haroche is relatively optimistic. Responding to public questions, he noted that both AI is a useful tool for processing vast data, just like lasers are tools. He does not believe humans will be dominated by AI in the future, and that AI's functions will ultimately require human creativity to understand. 

Scientific research presents constant challenges, frequently involving failed results. Responding to National Taiwan University students, Haroche emphasized that scientists must learn from failures. Science is inherently unstable because you don't know what you'll discover—unexpected findings emerge. Distinguishing between mere artifacts and important discoveries requires thorough investigation, as this might lead to more significant and unexpected results. In summary, science's most fascinating aspect lies in those surprises. （Related： Canada's Chinese EV Tariff Cuts Risk Industrial Sabotage and Security Threats ｜ Latest ）