拉斯维加斯0567(中国区)有限公司|官方网站

Binbin Zhang is a Professor of Astrophysics at Nanjing University who investigates high-energy transients—especially gamma-ray bursts—using data-driven methods. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and completed postdoctoral work at Penn State, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (Spain). He has published 150+ papers in leading journals (including several Nature and Science), with 16,000+ citations and an h-index of 58.

张x∀∊彬∊y∅彬，教授，入选国家海外高层次青年人才计划、江苏省双创团队领军人才、国家高层次领军人才特殊支持计划等，毕业于美国内华达大学拉斯维加斯分校，获天文学博士学位。主要从事伽马射线暴的数据分析及理论研究。共发表SCI论文150余篇，包括Science杂志2篇、Nature杂志6篇及Nature子刊3篇。论文共被引用超过1万6千余次，归一化引用次数（normalized citations） 1200余次, H因子58。主持及参与多项国家级科研项目。主要研究高能天体物理现象。成果入选2023年江苏省行业领域十大科技进展、江苏省自然科学百篇优秀学术成果论文等。

I will NOT respond to phone calls or messaging apps unless we have a scheduled appointment or prior communication.

未经预约或事先沟通的情况下，不接听电话或即时通讯软件消息。

Research Focus 研究方向简介

My research focuses on high-energy time-domain and multi-messenger astrophysics, especially GRBs, FRBs, and gravitational-wave electromagnetic counterparts, combining data analysis, physical modeling, and space instrumentation.

我的研究聚焦于高能时域与多信使天体物理，重点关注伽马射线暴、快速射电暴与引力波电磁对应体，融合观测数据分析、物理模型构建与空间探测器研制。

What happens when a dying star collapses, or two neutron stars spiral into each other at nearly the speed of light? The answer is a gamma-ray burst (GRB)—one of the most powerful explosions in the universe. Our group studies these extreme events across the electromagnetic spectrum, from gamma-rays and X-rays captured by space telescopes such as Fermi, Swift, and the Einstein Probe, to optical and infrared data from global ground-based facilities.

We combine data-driven analysis with physical modeling to address major open questions: what powers these explosions, how heavy elements form in compact-object mergers, and whether we can capture distinct signatures of newborn neutron stars. Recent results have helped refine GRB classification and identify evidence for magnetar engines in merger-related events.

Beyond analysis, we also build hardware. Our student-led GRID (Gamma-Ray Integrated Detectors) CubeSat program, developed jointly with Tsinghua University, has launched multiple missions and detected dozens of GRBs, offering end-to-end training from detector design to on-orbit operations.

当一颗垂死的大质量恒星坍缩，或两颗中子星以接近光速相互旋进时，会发生什么？答案是伽马射线暴（GRB）——极端高能暂现事件之一。我们利用费米、雨燕、爱因斯坦探针等空间望远镜的伽马射线和 X 射线数据，结合全球地面光学与红外观测，开展全波段研究。

我们将数据分析与物理建模相结合，聚焦关键问题：爆发能量来源、致密并合中重元素形成机制，以及新生中子星的可观测特征。近年来的工作推动了 GRB 分类的完善，并为并合相关事件中的磁星引擎提供了证据链。

在数据分析之外，我们也进行仪器研制。由学生主导的 GRID（伽马射线集成探测器）立方星计划与清华大学联合研发，已多次发射并探测到数十个 GRB，让学生获得从探测器设计到在轨运行的全流程实践经验。

Selected Projects / 研究项目

GRB Progenitors & Central Engines

伽马射线暴前身星与中心引擎

Revealed new GRB channels beyond the classical long/short picture, including short-duration Type-II GRBs, merger-origin long GRBs with kilonovae, and magnetar-flare events that mimic short GRBs.

揭示了超越传统“长暴/短暴”分类的新方法：短时标大质量恒星坍缩起源 II 型暴、伴随千新星的并合起源长时标I型暴，以及可表现为短暴的磁星耀发事件等。

Prompt-Emission Radiation Physics

瞬时辐射机制与喷流物理

Built a data-driven framework for prompt spectra and developed physical models (synchrotron/photosphere) to diagnose jet composition and transitions within single bursts.

构建瞬时谱的系统分析框架，并发展同步辐射/光球辐射模型，用于判别喷流组成及其在单个爆发现象中呈现证据。

Multi-Messenger & Time-Domain Surveys

多信使后随与时域巡天

Contributed to GW170817/GRB 170817A interpretation, FRB–magnetar constraints, and Einstein Probe science including EP-discovered GRBs via untriggered gamma-ray searches.

参与 GW170817/GRB 170817A 事件解释、FRB–磁星关联的观测约束，并推动爱因斯坦探针科学产出（含通过未触发伽马暂现搜寻识别 EP 探测 GRB）。

Fundamental Physics & Instruments

基本物理检验与探测器研制

Used GRBs for tests of LIV and equivalence principle, and co-led CubeSat missions (GRID), extending GRB physics to laboratory studies and instrument development.

利用 GRB 进行洛伦兹不变性破缺与等效原理检验；联合推动立方星任务（GRID），并将 GRB 相关研究延伸至地面实验与仪器研制。

I am currently accepting applications for postdoctoral positions, graduate student supervision, and visiting research opportunities.
Undergraduate students interested in early-career research projects are also welcome to apply.

目前开放博士后、研究生（博士/硕士）、访问学者/学生及本科生早期科研等机会。

If you’re motivated to learn, ask hard questions, and do careful science, please contact me regarding research opportunities.

研究内容包括空间天文任务真实数据分析、高能暂现源的物理建模与数据处理流水线构建。

研究小组重视科研兴趣、方法论严谨性与开放协作精神。具备 Python 等编程基础者更具优势，但并非硬性要求。
强调主动学习能力与独立解决问题的能力。符合条件者将有参与论文署名和国际合作的机会。

Postdocs:
X Yang
Ph.D Students:
ZY Yan, RC Chen, SN Wang, YH Jiang
Visiting Students:
K. Nadaf
B.S. /Project Students:
BR Wang, QY Han, CY Che, ...
Research/Lab Assistant:
JC Tuo, CF Liu
Previous Graduates/Postdoc:
ZK Peng ( Ph.D; -> BNU); YH Yang (Ph.D; ->Uniroma2 ); Z Zhang (M.S.; --> Osaka ), ZK Liu (M.S, -> SJTU)
J Yang (Ph.D -> ZZU), YHI Yin (M.S. -> HKU), YZ Meng (Postdoc; -> GXUST), V Chand (Postdoc -> LSU), Varun (Postdoc -> ETH)
Previous Visitors
J. Granot (2025); H. van Eetern (2025), Rurdra Patel (2025)

Basic technical issues or procedural questions should be resolved independently or through general support channels.
I expect students to demonstrate common sense and initiative in handling routine matters.

基础技术问题或流程性事务应自行解决。主动性与基本判断力被视为科研训练的必要组成部分。

Due to my busy schedule, I will only respond to inquiries related to academic projects or real issues. Messages that reflect a lack of preparation or overconfidence in handling basic issues will not receive a response and may factor into application evaluation.

仅回复与学术项目或实际事务直接相关的咨询。内容缺乏准备、忽视细节的咨询将不予回复，并可能影响申请评估。

Appropriate use of AI tools for minor assistance—such as grammar correction or fixing typos—is acceptable. However, inquiries that read as fully AI-generated, formulaic, impersonal, or mechanically written will not receive a response.

允许适度使用 AI 进行辅助，例如语法修改或拼写纠正。但明显由 AI 完整生成、缺乏个人思考与表达、呈现模板化或机械叙事风格的咨询，将不会得到回复。

For local students at NJU, please email me at bbzhang_at_nju.edu.cn to schedule an appointment.

If you are interested in a visiting research opportunity, please email me with your CV.

If you are interested in a postdoctoral position, please email me first to schedule an interview.

5. International Student Opportunities at NJU (e.g., CSC Funding Applications)

⚠ Important Notice: Emails sent from non-institutional email addresses (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo) will be automatically ignored,
disqualifying your future application. To proceed, you must adhere to our panel review process.

Application Requirements: To initiate your application, submit the following documents using an official institutional email address.
Applications from non-institutional email addresses will not be considered.

(1) A cover letter
(2) A detailed CV
(3) A publication list
(4) A research statement outlining your past research experiences and future research interests
(5) PDF copies of the following three documents:
- Your most recent transcripts
- Your most current thesis (e.g., M.S. or B.S. thesis)
- Your diploma
(6) Three letters of recommendation, sent directly by your referees from their official institutional email addresses to bbzhang@nju.edu.cn

Once we receive your complete application package, we will conduct a thorough review.
If your application meets our selection criteria, you will be notified to schedule an interview.

I will not respond to any inquiries if a complete application package has not been submitted.

6. (For Local NJU Undergraduate Students) Global Excursion Program (南京大学本科生全球科考项目)：
《追光之旅——基于全球光学望远镜BOOTES对伽马射线暴的观测与研究》
See info here: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/khe9-pCg9Wm2CeiDglw9KA
(2025年度"追光之旅——基于全球光学望远镜BOOTES对伽马射线暴的观测与研究"全球科考项目选拔报名通知)

7. High-School Visiting Students （优秀高中生访问计划）
实验室不定期接收对天文学有浓厚兴趣的高中生进行科研访问。请邮件提交 CV。

To inspire talented high-schoolers who are passionate about astronomy, our lab occasionally welcomes students from all grade levels for immersive research visits.
If you’re interested, please email me your CV.
We also offer structured programs that recruit high-school students—such as the Nanjing University CubeSat Laboratory Summer Research Project (南大天文小卫星实验室暑期科研项目):

2026-02-03 Millisecond Periodic Signals Discovered Again in a Short Gamma-Ray Burst Sample

Our team discovered the second statistically significant millisecond-timescale periodic signal—a coherent oscillation at approximately 1100 Hz (corresponding to a period of ~0.9 milliseconds) in short gamma-ray burst GRB 960616, which occurred in 1996. Its physical properties are highly consistent with the millisecond-scale periodic signal first discovered in GRB 230307A, further supporting the physical picture that the central engines of short gamma-ray bursts harbor rapidly spinning millisecond magnetars. The paper is led by my Ph.D student Runchao Chen.

2025-12-29 Our Team’s Discovery of Newborn Neutron Star “First Heartbeat” Named Among 2025 Hong Kong Top 10 Innovation & Technology News
Organised by the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, the results of the annual selection for the ‘Top 10 Innovation & Technology News in Hong Kong 2025’, have recently been announced. Our student's work, "Detect First ‘Heartbeat’ of a Newborn Neutron Star" has been selected to be one of these Top 10 Innovation & Technology News in Hong Kong 2025.

2025-09-19 Evidence for a millisecond magnetar periodicity in a gamma-ray burst，
published at Nature Astronomy.
Our Ph.D Student, Runchao Chen, published a first-author paper enttiled at Nature Astronomy. In this paper, we detected a brief but highly coherent oscillation in the GRB designated GRB 230307A on 7 March 2023. The signal, spinning nearly a thousand times per second, points to the birth of a “millisecond magnetar”—a rapidly rotating neutron star with an ultra-strong magnetic field.
Related News:

2025-06-05 Spectral Hardening Marks the Emergence of a GRB Afterglow
Einstein Probe (EP) and NASA’s Fermi/GBM have caught GRB 250404A (EP250404a) in the act of changing personality—from its prompt gamma-ray flash to the steadier external-shock afterglow. In a new Letter led by Yi-Han Iris Yin with Prof. Bin-Bin Zhang’s group at Nanjing University, the team follows an unbroken 600-s X-ray light curve whose spectrum first softens, then hardens dramatically, and finally levels off at a slope of ≈ –2. Broadband optical/near-IR data modelled with forward- and reverse-shock components confirm that this “soft-hard-flat” trend pinpoints the exact moment the relativistic jet slams into its environment and the afterglow takes over.

The hardening implies the prompt soft-X-ray phase actually lasted about 300 s—over three times longer than its γ-ray T90—revealing how long-duration fast X-ray transients can hide prompt emission below 10 keV. The authors propose this spectral fingerprint as a practical flag for identifying GRBs in EP’s growing catalogue of fast X-ray transients, even when γ-ray coverage or a clear temporal break is absent.

The study, co-authored by more than 60 collaborators, is now available on arXiv (2506.00435) ： https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.00435

Chinese News: 《X射线能谱"变硬"揭示余辉现身：天关卫星捕获长时标快速X射线暂现源 GRB 250404A/EP250404a》 /twdt/cggs/20250821/i333275.html

2024-12-18 Direct Evidence of Magnetar in Central Engine in a Pecular Long Gamma-Ray Burst.

Einstein Probe's Pathfinder mission LEIA and GECAM mission have recently discovered direct evidence of a magnetic neutron star serving as the central engine
in a pecular long gamma-ray burst GRB 230307A. This finding suggests that long gamma-ray bursts may originate from a compact
binary merger involving a magnetized neutron star, which rotates rapidly and possesses an extremely strong magnetic field. The research
has been published in National Science Review at https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwae401My Ph.D student, Jun Yang, is the co- first-author of the paper.
News: EP卫星探路者LEIA及GECAM卫星联合揭示致密星并合起源伽马射线暴中磁星存在的直接证据

In September 2024, our team reported on GRB 230812B, a remarkable gamma-ray burst detected by the Gamma-Ray Integrated Detectors (GRID) constellation mission. The paper, co-authored by Chenyu Wang, a Tsinghua University student, including myself as the corresponding author, is titled "Bridging the Gap: GRB 230812B—A Three-Second Supernova-Associated Burst Detected by the GRID Mission." This burst, with a duration of just 3 seconds, challenges the conventional categorization of GRBs, as it originates from a massive star collapse despite its short duration. Our analysis, utilizing a time-evolving synchrotron model, sheds light on this rare phenomenon. The full paper is now available on https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ada934 , News: <跨越长短之界：天格计划发现三秒超新星坍缩伽马暴>

We successfully held the Third Nanjing GRB Conference during May 21-25, 2024, in Suzhou, China. There were about 160 participants from around 20 countries with fruitful discussion and outcomes.

2024-02-08 A new study led by Ph.D. student Zhenyu Yan, titled “One Fits All: A Unified Synchrotron Model Explains GRBs with FRED-shape Pulses,” has been published in ApJ. The paper introduces a synchrotron model that simplifies the analysis of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) by using a single set of parameters to explain their spectral and temporal evolution. This approach sheds light on the GRB light curve’s phases and peak energy changes, suggesting an expanding emission region as the underlying mechanism. The findings offer a fresh perspective on GRB analysis and could guide future astrophysical research. The full paper is available in the Astrophysical Journal at https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ad14fb

2023-12-22 Our team conducted a study on the second extragalactic magnetar, Giant Glare GRB 231115A, and successfully applied the Comptonized Fireball Bubble model to the observed data. This study provides a constrained physical picture, including a trapped fireball with a radius of approximately 1.95e5 cm and a high local magnetic field of 2.5e16 G. The paper, led by our graduate student Iris, is now available on arXiv at https://arxiv.org/abs/2312.14833. (Update on Feb 21, 2024: Our paper is now published in ApJL https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/ad2839 )

2023-12-10 Our paper, "A Long-Duration Gamma-Ray Burst with a Peculiar Origin" (Nature, 612, 232), was selected as one of the outstanding academic achievement papers in the "Jiangsu Natural Science Top 100 Papers" for 2023. Official news confirming this selection can be found at: https://www.jiangsu.gov.cn/art/2023/12/10/art_89419_11094450.html (which mentions our paper). Additionally, the news is covered by NJU at: /twdt/xwdt/20231208/i255625.html.

2023-12-06 Our research paper published at Nature, entitled 'A Long-Duration Gamma-Ray Burst with a Peculiar Origin,' has been distinguished as one of the Top Ten Technological Advances in the Fundamental Science Research Field in Jiangsu Province, China, for the year 2022. This recognition underscores the significance of our work and its contribution to advancing scientific outcome in the GRB field. NJU news: /twdt/xwdt/20231205/i255463.html

2023-09-01 A research paper exploring the utilization of Gravitational Waves to discern the origins of certain peculiar Gamma-Ray Bursts (e.g., GRB 211211A) has been recently published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. You can access the article at the following link: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/acf04a/pdf. Additionally, a news report in Chinese titled "利用引力波信号探究特殊伽马射线暴的致密星并合起源" is also available at: /twdt/cggs/20230922/i250987.html. The first author of this study is my graduate student, Yi-Han Iris Yin.

2023-08-20: We are orgnizing the The 3rd Nanjing GRB Conference in May 2024. Since the 2nd Nanjing GRB conference held in 2019, significant strides have been made in the field of Gamma-Ray Bursts. The detection of several distinctive GRBs, including the unprecedented "Brightest of All Time" GRB 221009A, has been continuously driving this vigorous field. In May 2024, we will gather once again in the beautiful city of Suzhou with the aim of summarizing and discussing the recent progress, both in the fronts of new observations and theoretical modeling. It will also highlight the initiatives and the results of some existing, newly launched or anticipated space/groundbased missions/telescopes, with a strong focus on their connections to multi-messenger astrophysics. For details of the conference please check http://grb2024.org/

2023-07-24: Collaborating with the EP and GECAM teams, our research group has jointly conducted a study that unveils the emergence of a magnetar during an long-duration and luminous GRB 230307A event. You can find more details about the study here.: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-3192773/v1 (under review).
2023-03-28. Our team led a study on the brightest-of-all-time (BOAT) GRB 221009A. We proposed a physical synchrotron model to account for its MeV radiation. Our paper has been published in ApJ Letters and can be accessed at https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/acc84b . Additionally, our team presented a poster at the AAS/HEAD20 meeting.

2022-12-07. In the Dec. 7 issue of the journal Nature, our team reports the discovery of a unique cosmological gamma-ray burst (GRB) that defies prevailing theories of how violent cosmic explosions form. This “oddball” burst led the team to propose a new model, or source, for certain types of GRBs. My student Jun Yang is the first author of the paper. The link is here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05403-8 . Here are some highlighted pictures, media reports of our research:

Teaching

Teaching 教学

Undergraduate Courses 本科生课程

Science Light Series — Understanding the Universe
"科学之光"——认识宇宙
CubeSat Development and Research for Gravitational Wave Electromagnetic Counterparts (I, II, III, IV)
针对引力波电磁对应体的立方星开发和研究（一、二、三、四）
Exploring Astronomy Mysteries
天文探秘
Observational Astrophysics Experiments
实测天体物理实验
Young Scientists Yangtze River Delta International Research Project (GRIPS Summer Program) - Astronomy
青年科学家长三角国际科研项目-天文学
Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Frontier Astronomy Research
人工智能在天文学前沿研究中的应用
Gamma-Ray Bursts: From Instruments, Data to Science
伽马射线暴：从仪器、数据到科学
Science Light (Young Scholars Series) — Magic Gamma-Ray Bursts and How to Study Them
"科学之光"（青年学者系列）——神奇的伽马射线暴以及如何研究它们
Early Scientific Training Practice
早期科技训练实习
Chasing Light Journey — Observation and Research of Gamma-Ray Bursts Based on Global Optical Telescope BOOTES (Science Expedition Class)
追光之旅——基于全球光学望远镜BOOTES对伽马射线暴的观测与研究

Graduate Courses 研究生课程

Gravitational Waves and Related Astrophysical Processes
引力波及相关天体物理过程

Publications

An up-to-date publication list on ADS is available on this link.

Highlighted Papers:

Chen, R.-C., Zhang, B.-B. et al., Evidence for a brief appearance of gamma-ray periodicity after a compact star merger, 2025, Nature Astronomy, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-025-02649-w

Yang, J., Ai, S.-K, Zhang, B.-B. et al, A long-duration gamma-ray burst with a peculiar origin, 2022, Nature, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05403-8

Zhang, B. -B. , Liu, Z. -K. , Peng, Z. -K. et al., A peculiarly short-duration gamma-ray burst from massive star core-collapse, 2021, Nature Astronomy, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-021-01395-z

Zhang, B-.B., Zhang, B., Sun, H.,et al.. , A peculiar low-luminosity short gamma-ray burst from a double neutron star merger progenitor, 2018, Nature Communications, 9, 447 1/2018 10.1038/s41467-018-02847-3

Zhang, B-.B., Zhang, B., Castro-Tirado, et al. , Transition from fireball to Poynting-flux- dominated outflow in the three-episode GRB 160625B, 2018, Nature Astronomy, 2, 69 11/2018 10.1038/s41550-017-0309-8

Zhang, B-.B., & Zhang, B. , Repeating FRB 121102: Eight-year Fermi-LAT Upper Limits and Implications, 2017, The Astrophysical Journal, 843, L13 7/2017 10.3847/2041-8213/aa7633

Zhang, B-.B., et al., Synchrotron Origin of the Typical GRB Band Function: A Case Study of GRB 130606B, 2016, The Astrophysical Journal, 816, 72 1/2016 10.3847/0004-637X/816/2/72

Zhang, B-.B., Zhang, B., & Castro-Tirado, A. J. , Central Engine Memory of Gamma-Ray Bursts and Soft Gamma-Ray Repeaters, 2016, The Astrophysical Journal, 820, L32 4/2016 10.3847/2041- 8205/820/2/L32

Zhang, B-.B., Zhang, B., Murase, K., Connaughton, V., & Briggs, M. S. , How Long does a Burst Burst?, 2014, The Astrophysical Journal, 787, 66 5/2014 10.1088/0004-637X/787/1/66

Zhang, B-.B., van Eerten, H., Burrows, D. N., Ryan, G. S., Evans, P. A., Racusin, J. L., Troja, E., & MacFadyen, A. , An Analysis of Chandra Deep Follow-up Gamma-Ray Bursts: Implications for Off-axis Jets, 2015, The Astrophysical Journal, 806, 15 6/2015 10.1088/0004-637X/806/1/15

Zhang, B-.B.,et ql. , GRB 120422A: A Low-luminosity Gamma-Ray Burst Driven by a Central Engine, 2012, The Astrophysical Journal, 756, 190 9/2012 10.1088/0004-637X/756/2/190

Zhang, B-.B.,et al., Unusual Central Engine Activity in the Double Burst GRB 110709B, 2012, The Astrophysical Journal, 748, 132 4/2012 10.1088/0004-637X/748/2/132

Zhang, B-.B., Zhang, B., Liang, E.-W., Fan, Y.-Z., Wu, X.-F., Pe’er, A., Maxham, A., Gao, H., & Dong, Y.-M. , A Comprehensive Analysis of Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Data. I. Spectral Components and the Possible Physical Origins of LAT/GBM GRBs, 2011, The Astrophysical Journal, 730, 141 4/2011 10.1088/0004-637X/730/2/141