Zhao Yijun Zhao Yijun, born in Beijing on November 26, 1930, is an expert in Technical Physics and Intensive Optics. He graduated from the Department of Physics of Peking University in July 1953. Now he is a professor in National University of Defense Technology, a tutor of doctorate degrees. Prof. Zhao was elected academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering in November 1997. Prof. Zhao is the inaugurator and founder of Chinese Laser Weapons. He was honored 1 First Prizes, 2 Second Prizes and 1 Third Prizes of the National Scientific and Technological Progress Award, 3 First Prizes of the department and commission level Scientific and Technological Progress Award and holds 7 invention patents. Prof. Zhao was honored a Major Contribution Prize in the Second Term PLA Special Technology competition in 1999. In 1964 and 1965, Prof. Zhao participated in two atomic explosion tests. He gave the theoretical studies of nuclear explosion thermoradiation phenomenon and developed three kinds of test equipments. He was honored the Hunan Science Conference Prize in 1978. In the 1970s, Prof. Zhao first gave a series of physicomechanical calculation programs from the micro structure of atoms and molecules. Wave functions of atoms were calculated by Xα method. Based on his work, the SCF calculations of atoms were widely applied in China. His three monographs, The Angular Momentum and Energy of Atoms, The Xα Wave Function of Atoms , The Calculation of Atomic Structure, became common reference books in atomic and molecular physics.  In the middle of 1970s, he started to prepare for a laboratory to study the interaction of laser and materials. He began this from damage mechanism caused by laser and proposed a lot of theoretical models such as heat shock caused by laser pulses, high pressure effects caused by high power laser pulses, the spallation caused by laser pulses. All these works push forward the development of this field from the macro to the microlevel, enriched the research connotation of atomic and molecule physics, physical mechanics and proved the feasibility of laser weapons, which are of great significance in restarting the research of laser weapons in China. Prof. Zhao was the head of an experts group in a certain laser project in 1984. After more than 20 years’ hard working, he solved a series of key techniques. He successfully presided the demonstration and verification experiment of this project. In this field he achieved lots of national firsts which enabled our nation ranking among the world advanced countries, and played great and important role in the development and progress in this field.