Inspiring Academic Excellence: Professor Habib Ammari Explores the Frontiers of Wave Localisation in Disordered Systems at CityUHK
Professor Habib Ammari, an HKIAS Senior Fellow and Professor of Applied Mathematics at ETH Zürich, recently visited City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) in April 2026. Marking his second time delivering an intensive lecture series on this specialized topic, he presented the highly anticipated “Wave Localisation in Disordered Systems” from 20 to 22 April 2026.
The intensive lectures focused on elucidating the intricate mathematical and physical nature of wave localisation within disordered resonator systems composed of a periodically arranged blocks. Throughout the series, Professor Ammari demonstrated how whole-system spectral characteristics relate directly to those of their constituent blocks. He discussed the spectral convergence properties of the density of states and introduced a groundbreaking, highly efficient meta-atom approach designed for rapid and precise evaluation in fractal-like regimes. Additionally, he investigated the competing mechanisms of localisation in disordered systems subject to non-reciprocal damping induced by imaginary gauge potentials. The lecture series attracted a diverse audience of faculty members, researchers, and students. (For more information about the lectures, please click here.)
The lecture series delivered immense academic value, significantly elevating the research and educational landscape at CityUHK while creating a powerful ripple effect across local and non-local academic networks. Scholars and students from prominent local institutions, in addition to CityUHK – including The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology – gained direct exposure to cutting-edge methodologies in wave propagation. Furthermore, the event served as a vital knowledge-sharing hub for premier non-local universities, drawing active engagement from scholars and researchers from Tsinghua University, Westlake University, Jilin University, and the Southern University of Science and Technology. By demystifying complex mathematical frameworks, the series provided these participating institutions with invaluable tools to accelerate their own research, while laying the groundwork for future cross-border scientific breakthroughs.
In addition to the lectures, Professor Ammari engaged in deep academic exchanges with prominent regional scholars, including Professor Hongyu Liu, Chair Professor, and Professor Bowen Li, Assistant Professor, of the Department of Mathematics at CityUHK, Professor Hai Zhang of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Professor Congguan Ma of Hong Kong Baptist University, Professor Ping Liu of Zhejiang University, Professor Wenjia Jing and Dr. Borui Miao of Tsinghua University, Professor Xin Fu of Westlake University, and Professor Lingzheng Kong of Central South University, etc. These discussions provided a valuable platform for sharing research insights and exploring future collaborations in mathematical physics.
The success of this lecture series highlights CityUHK’s ongoing commitment to fostering international scientific partnerships and providing a vibrant environment for academic growth. The intellectual synergy generated during these three days has left a lasting impact on the local and non-local mathematical communities, inspiring emerging researchers and established scholars alike.
Professor Habib Ammari is an internationally renowned mathematician specializing in wave propagation, inverse problems, mathematical imaging, and metamaterials. He is a Professor of Applied Mathematics at ETH Zürich, a member of the Academia Europaea, and a member of the European Academy of Sciences. His exceptional contributions to the mathematical sciences have earned him numerous prestigious accolades, including the Kuwait Prize in Basic Sciences (2013) and the Khwarizmi International Award (2015).