Charles K. Kao
Encyclopedia
The Honorable Sir Charles Kuen Kao, GBM
, KBE
, FRS
, FREng
(born November 4, 1933) is a pioneer in the development and use of fiber optics
in telecommunications. Kao, known as the "Godfather of Broadband", "Father of Fiber Optics" or "Father of Fiber Optic Communications", was awarded half of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics
for "groundbreaking achievements concerning the transmission of light in fibers for optical communication".
, Jiangsu adjoining Shanghai. He studied Chinese classics at home with his brother, under a tutor. He also studied English and French at an international school in Shanghai which was founded by a number of progressive Chinese educators including Cai Yuanpei
.
Kao's family moved to Hong Kong in 1948 where he completed his secondary education (advanced level
) at St. Joseph's College
in 1952. He did his undergraduate studies in electrical engineering
at Woolwich Polytechnic
(now the University of Greenwich
), obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree.
He then pursued research and received his PhD degree in electrical engineering in 1965 from University College London
(under Professor Harold Barlow
) as an external student while working at Standard Telecommunication Laboratories
(STL) in Harlow
, England, the research centre of Standard Telephones and Cables
. It is there that Kao did his first groundbreaking work as an engineer and researcher working alongside George Hockham
under the supervision of Alec Reeves
.
Kao joined the Chinese University of Hong Kong
(CUHK) in 1970, to found the Department of Electronics, which later became the Department of Electronic Engineering. During this period, Kao was the Reader
and then the Chair Professor of Electronics at CUHK; he built up both undergraduate
and graduate
study programs of electronics and saw the graduation of his first students. Under his leadership, the School of Education and other new research institutes were established. He then went back to ITT Corporation
in 1974 (the parent corporation of STC at that time) in the United States and worked in Roanoke, Virginia
, first as Chief Scientist and later as Director of Engineering. In 1982, he became the first ITT Executive Scientist and was stationed mainly at the Advanced Technology Center in Connecticut
. While there, he served as an adjunct professor and Fellow of Trumbull College at Yale University
. In 1985, Kao spent one year in West Germany, at the SEL Research Centre. In 1986, Kao was the Corporate Director of Research at ITT.
Kao was Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong
from 1987 to 1996. After his retirement from CUHK in 1996, Kao spent his 6-month sabbatical leave at the Imperial College London
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering; from 1997 to 2002, he also served as Visiting professor in the same department. From 1993 to 1994, he was the President of ASAIHL (The Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning).
Kao then worked as the Chairman and CEO of Transtech Services Ltd., a telecommunication consultancy company in Hong Kong. He was the founder, Chairman and CEO of ITX Services Limited. From 2003 to January 30, 2009, Kao was an Independent Non-executive Director
and Member of the Audit Committee
of Next Media
. Since 1991, Kao has been an Independent Non-Executive Director and a member of the Audit Committee of the Varitronix International Limited in Hong Kong.
In 2000, Kao founded the Independent Schools Foundation Academy
(ISF), which is located in Cyberport
, Hong Kong. He was its founding Chairman in 2000, and stepped down from the Board of the ISF in December 2008.
Kao was the keynote speaker at IEEE GLOBECOM 2002 in Taipei
, Taiwan. In 2003 Kao was named a Chair Professor by special appointment at the Electronics Institute of the College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, National Taiwan University
.
In 1996, Kao donated to Yale University
, and the Charles Kao Fund Research Grants was established to support Yale's studies, research and creative projects in Asia. The fund currently is managed by Yale University Councils on East Asian and Southeast Asian Studies.
Kao has been suffering from Alzheimer's disease
since early 2004 and has speech difficulty
, but has no problem recognizing people or addresses. Kao's father also suffered from the same disease.
Since 2008, he has resided in Mountain View, California
, United States, where he moved from Hong Kong in order to live near his children and grandchild.
Pottery making, a traditional Chinese handiwork, is a hobby of Kao's. Kao also enjoys reading Wuxia
novels.
On October 6, 2009, Kao was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to the study of the transmission of light in optical fibers and for fiber communication, said: "I am absolutely speechless and never expected such an honour". Kao's wife told the press that the prize after paying tax to the US government, will primarily be used for Charles's medical expenses.
from the University of Michigan Law School
in 1925. He was a professor at Soochow University
(then in Shanghai) Comparative Law School of China.
His grandfather was Gao Xie
(aka Gao Chuiwan), a famous scholar, poet, literator, artist, and a leading figure of the Southern Society
(南社) during the late Qing Dynasty
. Some influential writers including Gao Xu
, aka Gao Tianmei), Yao Guang (姚光), and Gao Zeng (高增) were also Gao's close relatives.
His father's cousin was astronomer Ping-Tse Kao
; Kao Crater
is named after him) Kao has a younger brother named Timothy Wu Kao (高鋙), who is a civil engineer and Professor Emeritus at the Catholic University of America
in Washington, D.C.. His research is in hydrodynamics.
Kao met his future wife May-Wan Kao (Née: Wong; 黄美芸) in London after graduation. His wife was a Fortran programmer who worked in the same factory as Kao. She is British Chinese
. They were married in 1959 in London, and have two children, a son and a daughter, both of whom reside and work in Silicon Valley
, California.
In 1960s at STL, Kao and his co-workers did their pioneering work in the realisation of fiber optics as a telecommunications medium, by demonstrating that the high-loss of existing fibre optics arose from impurities in the glass, rather than from an underlying problem with the technology itself.
Initially Kao worked in the team of Antoni E. Karbowiak (aka Toni Karbowiak), who was working under Alec Reeves
to study optical waveguides for communications. Kao's task was to investigate fiber attenuation
, for which he collected samples from different fiber manufacturers and also investigated the properties of bulk glasses carefully. Kao's study primarily convinced himself that the impurities in material caused the high light losses of those fibers.
In 1963, Kao was appointed head of the electro-optics research group at STL. He took over the optical communication program of STL in December 1964, because his supervisor, Karbowiak, left to take the Chair in Communications in the School of Electrical Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW)
, Sydney, Australia. Karbowiak now is regarded as one of the pioneers of photonics
technology of Australia.
Although Kao succeeded Karbowiak as manager of optical communications research, he immediately decided to abandon Karbowiak's plan (thin-film waveguide) and overall change research direction with his colleague George Hockham
. They not only considered optical physics
but also the material properties. The results were first presented by Kao to the IEE
in January 1966 in London, and further published in July with George Hockham (1964–1965 worked with Kao). This study first theorized and proposed to use glass fibers to implement optical communication, the ideas (especially structural features and materials) described are largely the basis of today's optical fiber communications.
In 1965, Kao with Hockham concluded that the fundamental limitation for glass light attenuation is below 20 dB/km (decibels per kilometer, is a measure of the attenuation of a signal over a distance), which is a key threshold value for optical communications. However, at the time of this determination, optical fibers commonly exhibited light loss as high as 1,000 dB/km and even more. This conclusion opened the intense race to find low-loss materials and suitable fibers for reaching such criteria.
Kao, together with his new team (members including T.W. Davies, M.W. Jones, and C.R. Wright), pursued this goal by testing various materials. They precisely measured the attenuation of light with different wavelengths in glasses and other materials. During this period, Kao pointed out that the high purity of fused silica (SiO2) made it an ideal candidate for optical communication. Kao also stated that the impurity of glass material is the main cause for the dramatic decay of light transmission inside glass fiber, rather than fundamental physical effects such as scattering
as many physicists thought at that time, and such impurity could be removed. This led to a worldwide study and production of high-purity glass fibers. When Kao first proposed that such glass fiber could be used for long-distance information transfer and could replace copper wires which were used for telecommunication during that era, his ideas were widely disbelieved; later people realized that Kao's ideas revolutionized the whole communication technology and industry.
Kao played a leading role in the early stage of engineering and commercial realization of optical communication. In spring 1966, Kao traveled to the U.S. but failed to interest Bell Labs
, which was a competitor of STL in communication technology
at that time. He subsequently traveled to Japan and gained support. Kao visited many glass and polymer
factories, discussed with various people including engineers, scientists, businessmen about the techniques and improvement of glass fiber manufacture.
In 1969, Kao with M.W. Jones measured the intrinsic loss of bulk-fused silica at 4 dB/km, which is the first evidence of ultra-transparent glass. Bell Labs started considering fiber optics seriously.
Kao developed important techniques and configurations for glass fiber waveguides, and contributed to the development of different fiber types and system devices which met both civil and military
application requirements, and peripheral supporting systems for optical fiber communication. In mid-1970s, he did seminal work on glass fiber fatigue strength
. When named the first ITT Executive Scientist, Kao launched the "Terabit
Technology" program in addressing the high frequency limits of signal processing, so Kao is also known as the "Father of the Terabit Technology Concept". Kao has published more than 100 papers and was granted over 30 patents, including the water-resistant high-strength fibers (with M.S. Maklad).
At an early stage of developing optic fibers, Kao already strongly preferred single mode
for long-distance optical communication, instead of using multi-mode systems
. His vision later was followed and now is applied almost exclusively.
Kao is also a visionary
of modern submarine communications cable
s and largely promoted this idea. He predicted in 1983 that world's seas would be littered with fiber optics, five years ahead of the time that such a trans-oceanic fiber-optic cable first became serviceable.
Ali Javan
’s introduction of a steady helium-neon laser
and Kao’s discovery of fiber light-loss properties now are recognized as the two essential milestones for the development of fiber-optic communications.
of the land reclamation in Hong Kong
, and presented one of his first related studies at the conference of ACU (Association of Commonwealth Universities
) in Edinburgh
in 1972.
Kao was the Chairman and Member of the Energy Advisory Committee (EAC) of Hong Kong SAR for two years, and retired from the position on July 15, 2000. Kao is a Member of the Council of Advisors on Innovation and Technology of Hong Kong SAR, appointed on April 20, 2000.
Kao donated most of his prize medals to the Chinese University of Hong Kong
.
Grand Bauhinia Medal
The Grand Bauhinia Medal the highest award under the Hong Kong honours and awards system, is to recognise the selected person's lifelong and highly significant contribution to the well-being of Hong Kong. The awardee is entitled to the postnominal letters GBM and the style "The Honorable"...
, KBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, FRS
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
, FREng
Royal Academy of Engineering
-Overview: is the UK’s national academy of engineering. The Academy brings together the most successful and talented engineers from across the engineering sectors for a shared purpose: to advance and promote excellence in engineering....
(born November 4, 1933) is a pioneer in the development and use of fiber optics
Optical fiber
An optical fiber is a flexible, transparent fiber made of a pure glass not much wider than a human hair. It functions as a waveguide, or "light pipe", to transmit light between the two ends of the fiber. The field of applied science and engineering concerned with the design and application of...
in telecommunications. Kao, known as the "Godfather of Broadband", "Father of Fiber Optics" or "Father of Fiber Optic Communications", was awarded half of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics
Nobel Prize in Physics
The Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded once a year by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. It is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Alfred Nobel in 1895 and awarded since 1901; the others are the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Nobel Prize in Literature, Nobel Peace Prize, and...
for "groundbreaking achievements concerning the transmission of light in fibers for optical communication".
Biography
Kao was born in Shanghai in 1933, but his ancestral home is in JinshanJinshan District
Jinshan District of Shanghai is neighbouring Zhejiang and near Hangzhou Bay. It has a land area of 586.14 km² and a population 536,900 as of 2001....
, Jiangsu adjoining Shanghai. He studied Chinese classics at home with his brother, under a tutor. He also studied English and French at an international school in Shanghai which was founded by a number of progressive Chinese educators including Cai Yuanpei
Cai Yuanpei
Cai Yuanpei was a Chinese educator and the president of Peking University. He was known for his critical evaluation of the Chinese culture that led to the influential May Fourth Movement...
.
Kao's family moved to Hong Kong in 1948 where he completed his secondary education (advanced level
GCE Advanced Level
The Advanced Level General Certificate of Education, commonly referred to as an A-level, is a qualification offered by education institutions in England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Cameroon, and the Cayman Islands...
) at St. Joseph's College
St. Joseph's College, Hong Kong
Established in 1875, St. Joseph's College is the oldest Catholic boys' secondary school in Hong Kong. It is located at 7 Kennedy Road, Mid-levels, in the Central and Western District...
in 1952. He did his undergraduate studies in electrical engineering
Electrical engineering
Electrical engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. The field first became an identifiable occupation in the late nineteenth century after commercialization of the electric telegraph and electrical...
at Woolwich Polytechnic
University of Greenwich
The University of Greenwich is a British university located in the London Borough of Greenwich, London, England. The main campus is located on the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College, a central location within the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site.-History:The history of the...
(now the University of Greenwich
University of Greenwich
The University of Greenwich is a British university located in the London Borough of Greenwich, London, England. The main campus is located on the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College, a central location within the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site.-History:The history of the...
), obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree.
He then pursued research and received his PhD degree in electrical engineering in 1965 from University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
(under Professor Harold Barlow
Harold Barlow
Harold Everard Monteagle Barlow FRS was a British engineer.He was born in Islington, London, the son of Leonard Barlow, an electrical engineer. He entered University College, London where, apart from the WWII years , he spent most of his working life...
) as an external student while working at Standard Telecommunication Laboratories
Standard Telecommunication Laboratories
Standard Telecommunication Laboratories was the UK Research Laboratories for the Standard Telephones and Cables Company .Initially based in Enfield, North London, and moved to Harlow Essex in 1959. At this time STC was part of ITT....
(STL) in Harlow
Harlow
Harlow is a new town and local government district in Essex, England. It is located in the west of the county and on the border with Hertfordshire, on the Stort Valley, The town is near the M11 motorway and forms part of the London commuter belt.The district has a current population of 78,889...
, England, the research centre of Standard Telephones and Cables
Standard Telephones and Cables
Standard Telephones and Cables Ltd was a British telephone, telegraph, radio, telecommunications and related equipment R&D manufacturer. During its history STC invented and developed several groundbreaking new technologies including PCM and optical fibres.The company began life in London as...
. It is there that Kao did his first groundbreaking work as an engineer and researcher working alongside George Hockham
George Hockham
George Alfred Hockham is an engineer who has worked for over 40 years in theoretical analysis and design techniques applied to the solution of electromagnetic problems covering many different antenna types for radar, electronic warfare and communication systems...
under the supervision of Alec Reeves
Alec Reeves
Alec Harley Reeves, CBE was a British scientist best known for his invention of pulse-code modulation . He was awarded 82 patents.-Early life:...
.
Kao joined the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Chinese University of Hong Kong
The Chinese University of Hong Kong is a research-led university in Hong Kong.CUHK is the only tertiary education institution in Hong Kong with Nobel Prize winners on its faculty, including Chen Ning Yang, James Mirrlees, Robert Alexander Mundell and Charles K. Kao...
(CUHK) in 1970, to found the Department of Electronics, which later became the Department of Electronic Engineering. During this period, Kao was the Reader
Reader (academic rank)
The title of Reader in the United Kingdom and some universities in the Commonwealth nations like Australia and New Zealand denotes an appointment for a senior academic with a distinguished international reputation in research or scholarship...
and then the Chair Professor of Electronics at CUHK; he built up both undergraduate
Undergraduate education
Undergraduate education is an education level taken prior to gaining a first degree . Hence, in many subjects in many educational systems, undergraduate education is post-secondary education up to the level of a bachelor's degree, such as in the United States, where a university entry level is...
and graduate
Postgraduate education
Postgraduate education involves learning and studying for degrees or other qualifications for which a first or Bachelor's degree generally is required, and is normally considered to be part of higher education...
study programs of electronics and saw the graduation of his first students. Under his leadership, the School of Education and other new research institutes were established. He then went back to ITT Corporation
ITT Corporation
ITT Corporation is a global diversified manufacturing company based in the United States. ITT participates in global markets including water and fluids management, defense and security, and motion and flow control...
in 1974 (the parent corporation of STC at that time) in the United States and worked in Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke is an independent city in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. state of Virginia and is the tenth-largest city in the Commonwealth. It is located in the Roanoke Valley of the Roanoke Region of Virginia. The population within the city limits was 97,032 as of 2010...
, first as Chief Scientist and later as Director of Engineering. In 1982, he became the first ITT Executive Scientist and was stationed mainly at the Advanced Technology Center in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. While there, he served as an adjunct professor and Fellow of Trumbull College at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. In 1985, Kao spent one year in West Germany, at the SEL Research Centre. In 1986, Kao was the Corporate Director of Research at ITT.
Kao was Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Chinese University of Hong Kong
The Chinese University of Hong Kong is a research-led university in Hong Kong.CUHK is the only tertiary education institution in Hong Kong with Nobel Prize winners on its faculty, including Chen Ning Yang, James Mirrlees, Robert Alexander Mundell and Charles K. Kao...
from 1987 to 1996. After his retirement from CUHK in 1996, Kao spent his 6-month sabbatical leave at the Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering; from 1997 to 2002, he also served as Visiting professor in the same department. From 1993 to 1994, he was the President of ASAIHL (The Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning).
Kao then worked as the Chairman and CEO of Transtech Services Ltd., a telecommunication consultancy company in Hong Kong. He was the founder, Chairman and CEO of ITX Services Limited. From 2003 to January 30, 2009, Kao was an Independent Non-executive Director
Non-executive director
A non-executive director or outside director is a member of the board of directors of a company who does not form part of the executive management team. He or she is not an employee of the company or affiliated with it in any other way...
and Member of the Audit Committee
Audit committee
In a U.S. publicly-traded company, an audit committee is an operating committee of the Board of Directors charged with oversight of financial reporting and disclosure. Committee members are drawn from members of the company's board of directors, with a Chairperson selected from among the committee...
of Next Media
Next Media
Next Media Limited , founded by serial entrepreneur Jimmy Lai, has more than 3,600 employees and is the largest-listed media company in Hong Kong....
. Since 1991, Kao has been an Independent Non-Executive Director and a member of the Audit Committee of the Varitronix International Limited in Hong Kong.
In 2000, Kao founded the Independent Schools Foundation Academy
Independent Schools Foundation Academy
The Independent Schools Foundation Academy is a non-profit bilingual private school in Hong Kong. It is also an IBO World School, and offers the IB Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme...
(ISF), which is located in Cyberport
Cyberport
Cyberport is a creative digital community with a cluster of technology and digital content tenants. It is owned and managed by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited which is wholly owned by the Hong Kong SAR Government...
, Hong Kong. He was its founding Chairman in 2000, and stepped down from the Board of the ISF in December 2008.
Kao was the keynote speaker at IEEE GLOBECOM 2002 in Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
, Taiwan. In 2003 Kao was named a Chair Professor by special appointment at the Electronics Institute of the College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, National Taiwan University
National Taiwan University
National Taiwan University is a national co-educational university located in Taipei, Republic of China . In Taiwan, it is colloquially known as "Táidà" . Its main campus is set upon 1,086,167 square meters in Taipei's Da'an District. In addition, the university has 6 other campuses in Taiwan,...
.
Industrial
- 1957 – 1960: Development Engineer, ITT CorporationITT CorporationITT Corporation is a global diversified manufacturing company based in the United States. ITT participates in global markets including water and fluids management, defense and security, and motion and flow control...
, Standard Telephones and Cables Ltd., UK.- 1960 – 1970: Principal Research Engineer, Standard Telecommunication LaboratoriesStandard Telecommunication LaboratoriesStandard Telecommunication Laboratories was the UK Research Laboratories for the Standard Telephones and Cables Company .Initially based in Enfield, North London, and moved to Harlow Essex in 1959. At this time STC was part of ITT....
, Standard Telephones and CablesStandard Telephones and CablesStandard Telephones and Cables Ltd was a British telephone, telegraph, radio, telecommunications and related equipment R&D manufacturer. During its history STC invented and developed several groundbreaking new technologies including PCM and optical fibres.The company began life in London as...
, UK.
- 1960 – 1970: Principal Research Engineer, Standard Telecommunication Laboratories
- 1974 – 1987: ITT CorporationITT CorporationITT Corporation is a global diversified manufacturing company based in the United States. ITT participates in global markets including water and fluids management, defense and security, and motion and flow control...
, USA.- Chief Scientist, Electro-Optical Products Division (1974–1981),
- Vice President and Director of Engineering (1981–1983),
- The 1st ITT Executive Scientist, and the Director of Research, Advanced Technology Center (1982–1987),
- 1 year at SEL Research Center, StuttgartStuttgartStuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
, West Germany (1985), - Corporate Director of Research (1986–1987).
- 1 year at SEL Research Center, Stuttgart
- Chairman and CEO, Transtech Services Ltd., Hong Kong.
- Founder, Chairman and CEO, ITX Services Limited, Hong Kong.
- Mid-1990s: Member of the Board of Trustees, IFTF, California, USA.
- 1991–present: Independent Non-Executive Director and Member of the Audit Committee, Varitronix International Limited, Hong Kong.
- 1997–present: Non-executive DirectorNon-executive directorA non-executive director or outside director is a member of the board of directors of a company who does not form part of the executive management team. He or she is not an employee of the company or affiliated with it in any other way...
on the board, China MobileChina MobileChina Mobile Limited is a Chinese state-owned telecommunication company that provides mobile voice and multimedia services through its nationwide mobile telecommunications network, the largest of its kind in the world...
, Hong Kong. - 1998 – 2003: Member, Board of the Provisional Hong Kong Science ParkHong Kong Science ParkThe Hong Kong Science Park is a science park in Hong Kong, located in Pak Shek Kok, New Territories, on the boundary of Sha Tin District and Tai Po District...
Company Limited, Hong Kong. - 1998/9 – 2009/10: Honorary Director of the Board, Fasten Group Co., Jiangsu Province, P.R.China.
- January 20, 2000 – January 2007: Independent Non-executive Director of the Board, SUNeVision Holdings LimitedSUNeVisionSUNeVision Holdings Limited is an IT company under Sun Hung Kai Properties, one of the largest property developers in Hong Kong. It is engaged in operation of Internet services centers and provision of system management services, and the design and installation of Satellite Master Antenna...
, Hong Kong. - 2003 – January 30, 2009: Independent Non-executive Director and Member of the Audit CommitteeAudit committeeIn a U.S. publicly-traded company, an audit committee is an operating committee of the Board of Directors charged with oversight of financial reporting and disclosure. Committee members are drawn from members of the company's board of directors, with a Chairperson selected from among the committee...
, Next MediaNext MediaNext Media Limited , founded by serial entrepreneur Jimmy Lai, has more than 3,600 employees and is the largest-listed media company in Hong Kong....
, Hong Kong. - 2004–present: Independent Non-executive Director of the Board (Honorable Advisor, March 1, 2008–present), Solomon Systech (International) Limited, Hong Kong.
- 2007–present: Honorary President, Hong Kong Senior Education Workers Association Ltd., Hong Kong.
- October 8, 2007–present: Honorary Advisor, Hakko Opto Limited, KowloonKowloonKowloon is an urban area in Hong Kong comprising the Kowloon Peninsula and New Kowloon. It is bordered by the Lei Yue Mun strait in the east, Mei Foo Sun Chuen and Stonecutter's Island in the west, Tate's Cairn and Lion Rock in the north, and Victoria Harbour in the south. It had a population of...
, Hong Kong. - 1997–2000s: Senior AdvisorSenior AdvisorIn some countries, a Senior Advisor is an appointed position by the Head of State to advise on the highest levels of national and government policy. Sometimes a junior position to this is called a National Policy Advisor...
, Hong Kong Telecom International LtdHong Kong TelecomHong Kong Telecommunications Limited, Hong Kong Telecom , or Cable & Wireless HKT Limited later, was the largest telecommunications service provider in Hong Kong. It was parented by Cable & Wireless. It had a dominant position in fixed-line, IDD and broadband services in Hong Kong...
, Hong Kong.
Educational
- 1970 – 1974: Founder, ReaderReader (academic rank)The title of Reader in the United Kingdom and some universities in the Commonwealth nations like Australia and New Zealand denotes an appointment for a senior academic with a distinguished international reputation in research or scholarship...
, and Chair Professor of the Department of Electronics (later became the Department of Electronic Engineering), The Chinese University of Hong KongChinese University of Hong KongThe Chinese University of Hong Kong is a research-led university in Hong Kong.CUHK is the only tertiary education institution in Hong Kong with Nobel Prize winners on its faculty, including Chen Ning Yang, James Mirrlees, Robert Alexander Mundell and Charles K. Kao...
. - 1980s: Adjunct Professor and Fellow of Trumbull CollegeTrumbull CollegeTrumbull College is one of twelve undergraduate residential colleges of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.The college is named for Jonathan Trumbull, the last governor of the Colony of Connecticut and first governor of the State of Connecticut, serving from 1769 until 1784, and a friend and...
, Yale UniversityYale UniversityYale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, USA. - 1987 – 1996: Vice-Chancellor, The Chinese University of Hong KongChinese University of Hong KongThe Chinese University of Hong Kong is a research-led university in Hong Kong.CUHK is the only tertiary education institution in Hong Kong with Nobel Prize winners on its faculty, including Chen Ning Yang, James Mirrlees, Robert Alexander Mundell and Charles K. Kao...
. - 1993 – 1994: President, ASAIHL (The Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning).
- March 1993–present: Member of the Advisory BoardAdvisory boardAn advisory board is a body that advises the board of directors and management of a corporation but does not have authority to vote on corporate matters, nor a legal fiduciary responsibility...
, Hong Kong Museum of Medical SciencesHong Kong Museum of Medical SciencesThe Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences was established in 1996, and is located in a renovated 3-storey Edwardian-style building, at 2 Caine Lane at the Mid-levels, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong...
. - 1996: 6-month sabbatical leave, Department of Electric and Electronic Engineering, Imperial College LondonImperial College LondonImperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
, UK. - 1997 – 2002: Visiting Professor, Department of Electric and Electronic Engineering, Imperial College LondonImperial College LondonImperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
, UK. - 2000 – December 2008: Founder, Founding Chairman, and Director of the Board, The Independent Schools Foundation AcademyIndependent Schools Foundation AcademyThe Independent Schools Foundation Academy is a non-profit bilingual private school in Hong Kong. It is also an IBO World School, and offers the IB Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme...
, Hong Kong.
Governmental
- May 1994 – June 30, 1997: Hong Kong Affairs AdviserHong Kong Affairs AdviserHong Kong Affairs Advisers were appointments by PRC government after the last Governor of Hong Kong Chris Patten carried out his electoral reform in Hong Kong....
(also an honorary position), Hong Kong. - Advisor of Macao Science and Technology Council (also an honorary position), MacaoMaçãoMação is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 400.0 km² and a total population of 7,763 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of eight parishes, and is located in the Santarém District....
. - Late-1990s: Member, Information Infrastructure Advisory Committee, Office of the Telecommunications AuthorityOffice of the Telecommunications AuthorityOffice of the Telecommunications Authority or OFTA is the executive arm of the Telecommunications Authority in Hong Kong. It is the body responsible for telecommunications regulation , antitrust enforcement and allocation of the radio frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum Office of...
(OFTA), Hong Kong SAR. - 1998 – July 15, 2000: Chairman and Member, Energy Advisory Committee (EAC), Hong Kong SAR.
- Member, Areas of Excellence Sub-Committee (AoESC) of the University Grants Committee (UGC)University Grants Committee (Hong Kong)The University Grants Committee of Hong Kong is an advisory committee responsible for advising the Government of Hong Kong on the development and funding needs of higher education institutions within Hong Kong....
, Hong Kong SAR. - 2000–present: One of the four Members of the International Advisory Board (IAB), National Institute of InformaticsNational Institute of InformaticsThe is a Japanese research institute created in April 2000 for the purpose of advancing the study of informatics. This institute is also devoted to creating a system to facilitate the spread of scientific information to the general public. The NII is the only comprehensive research institute in...
(NII), Japan. - April 20, 2000–present: Member, Council of Advisors on Innovation and Technology, Hong Kong SAR.
- March 16, 2001–present: Core Member, Committee on Admission of Cyberport Office Tenants (CACOT), Hong Kong SAR.
In 1996, Kao donated to Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, and the Charles Kao Fund Research Grants was established to support Yale's studies, research and creative projects in Asia. The fund currently is managed by Yale University Councils on East Asian and Southeast Asian Studies.
Kao has been suffering from Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
since early 2004 and has speech difficulty
Speech disorder
Speech disorders or speech impediments are a type of communication disorders where 'normal' speech is disrupted. This can mean stuttering, lisps, etc. Someone who is unable to speak due to a speech disorder is considered mute.-Classification:...
, but has no problem recognizing people or addresses. Kao's father also suffered from the same disease.
Since 2008, he has resided in Mountain View, California
Mountain View, California
-Downtown:Mountain View has a pedestrian-friendly downtown centered on Castro Street. The downtown area consists of the seven blocks of Castro Street from the Downtown Mountain View Station transit center in the north to the intersection with El Camino Real in the south...
, United States, where he moved from Hong Kong in order to live near his children and grandchild.
Pottery making, a traditional Chinese handiwork, is a hobby of Kao's. Kao also enjoys reading Wuxia
Wuxia
Wuxia is a broad genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists. Although wuxia is traditionally a form of literature, its popularity has caused it to spread to diverse art forms like Chinese opera, manhua , films, television series, and video games...
novels.
On October 6, 2009, Kao was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to the study of the transmission of light in optical fibers and for fiber communication, said: "I am absolutely speechless and never expected such an honour". Kao's wife told the press that the prize after paying tax to the US government, will primarily be used for Charles's medical expenses.
Ancestry and family
Kao's father Kao Chun-Hsiang (高君湘) was a lawyer who obtained his J.D.Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from the University of Michigan Law School
University of Michigan Law School
The University of Michigan Law School is the law school of the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. Founded in 1859, the school has an enrollment of about 1,200 students, most of whom are seeking Juris Doctor or Master of Laws degrees, although the school also offers a Doctor of Juridical...
in 1925. He was a professor at Soochow University
Soochow University (Suzhou)
Soochow University , colloquially known in Chinese as Suda is a university in Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. The school is part of the Chinese Ministry of Education's Project 211, and a Jiangsu provincial key comprehensive university.-History:...
(then in Shanghai) Comparative Law School of China.
His grandfather was Gao Xie
Gao Xie
Gao Xie , was a notable Chinese scholar, calligraphist, traditional painter, publisher, poet, writer, and book collector.-Biography:...
(aka Gao Chuiwan), a famous scholar, poet, literator, artist, and a leading figure of the Southern Society
South Society
The South Society , was the largest literature and poetry organization during the late Qing Dynasty China and the early period of the Republic of China....
(南社) during the late Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
. Some influential writers including Gao Xu
Gao Xu
Gao Xu , was a Chinese poet, writer, revolutionary, political activist. Gao is one of the three founders of the South Society which was the largest organization of literature and poetry during the late Qing Dynasty China and the early period of the Republic of China...
, aka Gao Tianmei), Yao Guang (姚光), and Gao Zeng (高增) were also Gao's close relatives.
His father's cousin was astronomer Ping-Tse Kao
Ping-Tse Kao
Ping-Tse Kao was a Chinese astronomer. He was entirely self-taught in this field. The crater Kao on the Moon is named in his honor....
; Kao Crater
Kao (crater)
Kao is a small lunar crater that is located near the eastern limb of the Moon. It lies near the southern edge of the Mare Smythii, a lunar mare that continues onto the far side of the surface. This crater lies to the east-southeast of the crater Widmannstätten...
is named after him) Kao has a younger brother named Timothy Wu Kao (高鋙), who is a civil engineer and Professor Emeritus at the Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America is a private university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States. It is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution of higher education founded by the U.S. Catholic bishops...
in Washington, D.C.. His research is in hydrodynamics.
Kao met his future wife May-Wan Kao (Née: Wong; 黄美芸) in London after graduation. His wife was a Fortran programmer who worked in the same factory as Kao. She is British Chinese
British Chinese
British Chinese , including British-born Chinese are people of Chinese ancestry who were born in, or have migrated to, the United Kingdom. They are part of the Chinese diaspora, or overseas Chinese...
. They were married in 1959 in London, and have two children, a son and a daughter, both of whom reside and work in Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley is a term which refers to the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in the United States. The region is home to many of the world's largest technology corporations...
, California.
Fiber optics and communications
Initially Kao worked in the team of Antoni E. Karbowiak (aka Toni Karbowiak), who was working under Alec Reeves
Alec Reeves
Alec Harley Reeves, CBE was a British scientist best known for his invention of pulse-code modulation . He was awarded 82 patents.-Early life:...
to study optical waveguides for communications. Kao's task was to investigate fiber attenuation
Attenuation
In physics, attenuation is the gradual loss in intensity of any kind of flux through a medium. For instance, sunlight is attenuated by dark glasses, X-rays are attenuated by lead, and light and sound are attenuated by water.In electrical engineering and telecommunications, attenuation affects the...
, for which he collected samples from different fiber manufacturers and also investigated the properties of bulk glasses carefully. Kao's study primarily convinced himself that the impurities in material caused the high light losses of those fibers.
In 1963, Kao was appointed head of the electro-optics research group at STL. He took over the optical communication program of STL in December 1964, because his supervisor, Karbowiak, left to take the Chair in Communications in the School of Electrical Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW)
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, Sydney, Australia. Karbowiak now is regarded as one of the pioneers of photonics
Photonics
The science of photonics includes the generation, emission, transmission, modulation, signal processing, switching, amplification, detection and sensing of light. The term photonics thereby emphasizes that photons are neither particles nor waves — they are different in that they have both particle...
technology of Australia.
Although Kao succeeded Karbowiak as manager of optical communications research, he immediately decided to abandon Karbowiak's plan (thin-film waveguide) and overall change research direction with his colleague George Hockham
George Hockham
George Alfred Hockham is an engineer who has worked for over 40 years in theoretical analysis and design techniques applied to the solution of electromagnetic problems covering many different antenna types for radar, electronic warfare and communication systems...
. They not only considered optical physics
Physical optics
In physics, physical optics, or wave optics, is the branch of optics which studies interference, diffraction, polarization, and other phenomena for which the ray approximation of geometric optics is not valid...
but also the material properties. The results were first presented by Kao to the IEE
Institution of Electrical Engineers
The Institution of Electrical Engineers was a British professional organisation of electronics, electrical, manufacturing, and Information Technology professionals, especially electrical engineers. The I.E.E...
in January 1966 in London, and further published in July with George Hockham (1964–1965 worked with Kao). This study first theorized and proposed to use glass fibers to implement optical communication, the ideas (especially structural features and materials) described are largely the basis of today's optical fiber communications.
In 1965, Kao with Hockham concluded that the fundamental limitation for glass light attenuation is below 20 dB/km (decibels per kilometer, is a measure of the attenuation of a signal over a distance), which is a key threshold value for optical communications. However, at the time of this determination, optical fibers commonly exhibited light loss as high as 1,000 dB/km and even more. This conclusion opened the intense race to find low-loss materials and suitable fibers for reaching such criteria.
Kao, together with his new team (members including T.W. Davies, M.W. Jones, and C.R. Wright), pursued this goal by testing various materials. They precisely measured the attenuation of light with different wavelengths in glasses and other materials. During this period, Kao pointed out that the high purity of fused silica (SiO2) made it an ideal candidate for optical communication. Kao also stated that the impurity of glass material is the main cause for the dramatic decay of light transmission inside glass fiber, rather than fundamental physical effects such as scattering
Scattering
Scattering is a general physical process where some forms of radiation, such as light, sound, or moving particles, are forced to deviate from a straight trajectory by one or more localized non-uniformities in the medium through which they pass. In conventional use, this also includes deviation of...
as many physicists thought at that time, and such impurity could be removed. This led to a worldwide study and production of high-purity glass fibers. When Kao first proposed that such glass fiber could be used for long-distance information transfer and could replace copper wires which were used for telecommunication during that era, his ideas were widely disbelieved; later people realized that Kao's ideas revolutionized the whole communication technology and industry.
Kao played a leading role in the early stage of engineering and commercial realization of optical communication. In spring 1966, Kao traveled to the U.S. but failed to interest Bell Labs
Bell Labs
Bell Laboratories is the research and development subsidiary of the French-owned Alcatel-Lucent and previously of the American Telephone & Telegraph Company , half-owned through its Western Electric manufacturing subsidiary.Bell Laboratories operates its...
, which was a competitor of STL in communication technology
Information and communication technologies
Information and communications technology or information and communication technology, usually abbreviated as ICT, is often used as an extended synonym for information technology , but is usually a more general term that stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of...
at that time. He subsequently traveled to Japan and gained support. Kao visited many glass and polymer
Polymer
A polymer is a large molecule composed of repeating structural units. These subunits are typically connected by covalent chemical bonds...
factories, discussed with various people including engineers, scientists, businessmen about the techniques and improvement of glass fiber manufacture.
In 1969, Kao with M.W. Jones measured the intrinsic loss of bulk-fused silica at 4 dB/km, which is the first evidence of ultra-transparent glass. Bell Labs started considering fiber optics seriously.
Kao developed important techniques and configurations for glass fiber waveguides, and contributed to the development of different fiber types and system devices which met both civil and military
Military communications
Historically, the first military communications had the form of sending/receiving simple signals . Respectively, the first distinctive tactics of military communications were called Signals, while units specializing in those tactics received the Signal Corps name...
application requirements, and peripheral supporting systems for optical fiber communication. In mid-1970s, he did seminal work on glass fiber fatigue strength
Fatigue limit
Fatigue limit, endurance limit, and fatigue strength are all expressions used to describe a property of materials: the amplitude of cyclic stress that can be applied to the material without causing fatigue failure. Ferrous alloys and titanium alloys have a distinct limit, an amplitude below which...
. When named the first ITT Executive Scientist, Kao launched the "Terabit
Terabit
The terabit is a multiple of the unit bit for digital information or computer storage. The prefix tera is defined in the International System of Units as a multiplier of 1012 , and therefore...
Technology" program in addressing the high frequency limits of signal processing, so Kao is also known as the "Father of the Terabit Technology Concept". Kao has published more than 100 papers and was granted over 30 patents, including the water-resistant high-strength fibers (with M.S. Maklad).
At an early stage of developing optic fibers, Kao already strongly preferred single mode
Single-mode optical fiber
In fiber-optic communication, a single-mode optical fiber is an optical fiber designed to carry only a single ray of light . Modes are the possible solutions of the Helmholtz equation for waves, which is obtained by combining Maxwell's equations and the boundary conditions...
for long-distance optical communication, instead of using multi-mode systems
Multi-mode optical fiber
Multi-mode optical fiber is a type of optical fiber mostly used for communication over short distances, such as within a building or on a campus...
. His vision later was followed and now is applied almost exclusively.
Kao is also a visionary
Visionary
Defined broadly, a visionary, is one who can envision the future. For some groups this can involve the supernatural or drugs.The visionary state is achieved via meditation, drugs, lucid dreams, daydreams, or art. One example is Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th century artist/visionary and Catholic saint...
of modern submarine communications cable
Submarine communications cable
A submarine communications cable is a cable laid on the sea bed between land-based stations to carry telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean....
s and largely promoted this idea. He predicted in 1983 that world's seas would be littered with fiber optics, five years ahead of the time that such a trans-oceanic fiber-optic cable first became serviceable.
Ali Javan
Ali Javan
Ali Mortimer Javan , born December 26, 1926 in Tehran, Iran is an Iranian American inventor and physicist at MIT. He co-invented the gas laser in 1960, with William R. Bennett...
’s introduction of a steady helium-neon laser
Helium-neon laser
A helium–neon laser or HeNe laser, is a type of gas laser whose gain medium consists of a mixture of helium and neon inside of a small bore capillary tube, usually excited by a DC electrical discharge.- History of HeNe laser development:...
and Kao’s discovery of fiber light-loss properties now are recognized as the two essential milestones for the development of fiber-optic communications.
Environmental studies and energy leadership
Kao is one of the few earliest who started studying the environmental effectsEnvironmental degradation
Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil; the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife...
of the land reclamation in Hong Kong
Land reclamation in Hong Kong
Land is in short supply in Hong Kong, and land reclamation has been conducted there since the mid-19th century.-Projects:One of the earliest and famous project was the Praya Reclamation Scheme, which added 50 to of land in 1890 during the second phase of construction...
, and presented one of his first related studies at the conference of ACU (Association of Commonwealth Universities
Association of Commonwealth Universities
The Association of Commonwealth Universities represents over 480 universities from Commonwealth countries.- History :In 1912, the University of London took the initiative to assemble 53 representatives of universities in London to hold a Congress of Universities of the Empire...
) in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
in 1972.
Kao was the Chairman and Member of the Energy Advisory Committee (EAC) of Hong Kong SAR for two years, and retired from the position on July 15, 2000. Kao is a Member of the Council of Advisors on Innovation and Technology of Hong Kong SAR, appointed on April 20, 2000.
Honors and awards
Kao has received numerous honors and awards in his life, including:Academic offices
- Life FellowIEEE FellowAn IEEE member is elevated to the grade of IEEE Fellow for "unusual distinction in the profession and shall be conferred by the Board of Directors upon a person with an extraordinary record of accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest"...
, Institute of Electrical and Electronics EngineersInstitute of Electrical and Electronics EngineersThe Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is a non-profit professional association headquartered in New York City that is dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence...
, USA (1979 election) - Member and Senior AdvisorSenior AdvisorIn some countries, a Senior Advisor is an appointed position by the Head of State to advise on the highest levels of national and government policy. Sometimes a junior position to this is called a National Policy Advisor...
, IEEE Communications SocietyIEEE Communications SocietyThe IEEE Communications Society is a professional society of the IEEE. It is also known by the abbreviation ComSoc. The Society focuses on two principal areas: the science of, and education about, communications engineering with the goal of advancing the state of the field; and professional...
(ComSoc) - Fellow, The Institution of Engineering and TechnologyInstitution of Engineering and TechnologyThe Institution of Engineering and Technology is a British professional body for those working in engineering and technology in the United Kingdom and worldwide. It was formed in 2006 from two separate institutions: the Institution of Electrical Engineers , dating back to 1871, and the...
, UK - Fellow, The Royal Society of London, UK (1997 election)
- Fellow, The Royal Academy of EngineeringRoyal Academy of Engineering-Overview: is the UK’s national academy of engineering. The Academy brings together the most successful and talented engineers from across the engineering sectors for a shared purpose: to advance and promote excellence in engineering....
, UK (1989 election) - Fellow, The Marconi Society, USA (1985 election)
- Honorary Fellow (1994 election) and former President, The Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences (HKAES), Hong Kong
- Distinguished Fellow, The Hong Kong Computer Society, Hong Kong (1989 election)
- Honorary Fellow, The Hong Kong Institute of Engineers (1994 election)
- Academician, Academia SinicaAcademia SinicaThe Academia Sinica , headquartered in the Nangang District of Taipei, is the national academy of Taiwan. It supports research activities in a wide variety of disciplines, ranging from mathematical and physical sciences, to life sciences, and to humanities and social sciences.Academia Sinica has...
, TaipeiTaipeiTaipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
(1992 election) - Member, Optical Society of AmericaOptical Society of AmericaThe Optical Society is a scientific society dedicated to advancing the study of light—optics and photonics—in theory and application, by means of publishing, organizing conferences and exhibitions, partnership with industry, and education. The organization has members in more than 100 countries...
, USA - Member, European Academy of Sciences and ArtsEuropean Academy of Sciences and ArtsThe European Academy of Sciences and Arts was created in 1990 in Salzburg, Austria by heart surgeon Felix Unger of Salzburg; the cardinal archbishop of Vienna, Franz König; and the political scientist and philosopher Nikolaus Lobkowicz....
, Austria - Member, United States National Academy of EngineeringNational Academy of EngineeringThe National Academy of Engineering is a government-created non-profit institution in the United States, that was founded in 1964 under the same congressional act that led to the founding of the National Academy of Sciences...
(1990 election) - Foreign Member, Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering SciencesRoyal Swedish Academy of Engineering SciencesThe Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences or Kungl. Ingenjörsvetenskapsakademien , founded in 1919 by King Gustaf V, is one of the Royal Academies in Sweden...
, Sweden (1988 election) - Foreign Member, Chinese Academy of SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesThe Chinese Academy of Sciences , formerly known as Academia Sinica, is the national academy for the natural sciences of the People's Republic of China. It is an institution of the State Council of China. It is headquartered in Beijing, with institutes all over the People's Republic of China...
, Beijing (1996 election)
- Fellow, Trumbull CollegeTrumbull CollegeTrumbull College is one of twelve undergraduate residential colleges of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.The college is named for Jonathan Trumbull, the last governor of the Colony of Connecticut and first governor of the State of Connecticut, serving from 1769 until 1784, and a friend and...
of Yale UniversityYale UniversityYale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States... - Honorary Fellow, The Queen Mary, University of LondonQueen Mary, University of LondonQueen Mary, University of London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
- Honorary Professor, The Chinese University of Hong KongChinese University of Hong KongThe Chinese University of Hong Kong is a research-led university in Hong Kong.CUHK is the only tertiary education institution in Hong Kong with Nobel Prize winners on its faculty, including Chen Ning Yang, James Mirrlees, Robert Alexander Mundell and Charles K. Kao...
(appointed in 1996) - Honorary Professor, Peking UniversityPeking UniversityPeking University , colloquially known in Chinese as Beida , is a major research university located in Beijing, China, and a member of the C9 League. It is the first established modern national university of China. It was founded as Imperial University of Peking in 1898 as a replacement of the...
, Beijing (appointed in 1995) - Honorary Professor, Tsinghua UniversityTsinghua UniversityTsinghua University , colloquially known in Chinese as Qinghua, is a university in Beijing, China. The school is one of the nine universities of the C9 League. It was established in 1911 under the name "Tsinghua Xuetang" or "Tsinghua College" and was renamed the "Tsinghua School" one year later...
, Beijing (appointed in 1995) - Honorary Professor, University of International Business and EconomicsUniversity of International Business and EconomicsThe University of International Business and Economics , is a university in Beijing, China. Currently, UIBE has over 11,000 students from China and over 2,500 international students from more than 100 countries....
, Beijing (appointed in 1995) - Honorary Professor, Beijing University of Posts and TelecommunicationsBeijing University of Posts and TelecommunicationsThe Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications was founded as The Beijing Institute of Posts and Telecommunications in 1955. It was created under the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and the Communications Department of the General Staff Department of the People's Liberation Army...
(appointed in 1995) - Chair Professor by special appointment, National Taiwan UniversityNational Taiwan UniversityNational Taiwan University is a national co-educational university located in Taipei, Republic of China . In Taiwan, it is colloquially known as "Táidà" . Its main campus is set upon 1,086,167 square meters in Taipei's Da'an District. In addition, the university has 6 other campuses in Taiwan,...
, Taipei (appointed in 2003) - Honorary Professor (1997–2002), Department of Electronic Engineering, City University of Hong KongCity University of Hong KongCity University of Hong Kong is a comprehensive research university in Hong Kong. It was founded in 1984 as City Polytechnic of Hong Kong and became a fully accredited university in 1994. It has achieved fast growth in recent years and received international recognition for its academic achievements...
- Lifetime Honorary Professorship, City University of Hong KongCity University of Hong KongCity University of Hong Kong is a comprehensive research university in Hong Kong. It was founded in 1984 as City Polytechnic of Hong Kong and became a fully accredited university in 1994. It has achieved fast growth in recent years and received international recognition for its academic achievements...
(appointed on January 1, 2002)
- Hong Kong Affairs AdviserHong Kong Affairs AdviserHong Kong Affairs Advisers were appointments by PRC government after the last Governor of Hong Kong Chris Patten carried out his electoral reform in Hong Kong....
(港事顧問) (May 1994 – June 30, 1997) - Advisor of Macao Science and Technology Council
Honorary degrees
- Honorary Doctor of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (1985)
- Doctor of Science, The University of SussexUniversity of SussexThe University of Sussex is an English public research university situated next to the East Sussex village of Falmer, within the city of Brighton and Hove. The University received its Royal Charter in August 1961....
, UK (1990) - Doctor of Engineering, National Chiao Tung UniversityNational Chiao Tung UniversityNational Chiao Tung University is a public university located in Hsinchu, Taiwan. It is recognized as one of the most prestigious and selective universities in Taiwan and is renowned for its research and teaching excellence in electrical engineering, computer science, engineering, management, and...
, R.O.China (1990) - Degree of Honorary Doctor, Soka University, Japan (1991)
- Doctor of Engineering, The University of GlasgowUniversity of GlasgowThe University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, UK (1992) - Honorary DCLHonorary degreeAn honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
, Durham UniversityDurham UniversityThe University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
, UK (1994) - Doctor of the University, Griffith UniversityGriffith UniversityGriffith University is a public, coeducational, research university located in the southeastern region of the Australian state of Queensland. The university has five satellite campuses located in the Gold Coast, Logan City and in the Brisbane suburbs of Mount Gravatt, Nathan and South Bank. Current...
, Australia (1995) - Honorary degree in "Telecommunications engineering", University of PaduaUniversity of PaduaThe University of Padua is a premier Italian university located in the city of Padua, Italy. The University of Padua was founded in 1222 as a school of law and was one of the most prominent universities in early modern Europe. It is among the earliest universities of the world and the second...
, Italy (Oct 18, 1996) - Doctor of Science, The University of HullUniversity of HullThe University of Hull, known informally as Hull University, is an English university, founded in 1927, located in Hull, a city in the East Riding of Yorkshire...
, UK (1998) - Doctor of Science, Yale UniversityYale UniversityYale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, USA (1999) - Doctor of Science Honoris Causa, The University of Greenwich, UK (2002)
- Doctor of Science, Princeton UniversityPrinceton UniversityPrinceton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
, USA (2004) - Honorary doctor of laws degree, University of TorontoUniversity of TorontoThe University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, Canada (June 16, 2005) - Honorary Doctor, Beijing University of Posts and TelecommunicationsBeijing University of Posts and TelecommunicationsThe Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications was founded as The Beijing Institute of Posts and Telecommunications in 1955. It was created under the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and the Communications Department of the General Staff Department of the People's Liberation Army...
, P.R.China (2007) - Honorary Doctorate of Science, University College LondonUniversity College LondonUniversity College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
, UK (2010) - Honorary Degree, University of StrathclydeUniversity of StrathclydeThe University of Strathclyde , Glasgow, Scotland, is Glasgow's second university by age, founded in 1796, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university...
, UK (Sep 24, 2010) - Honorary Doctorate of Science, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, P.R.China (Mar 2011)
Awards
Chinese University of Hong Kong
The Chinese University of Hong Kong is a research-led university in Hong Kong.CUHK is the only tertiary education institution in Hong Kong with Nobel Prize winners on its faculty, including Chen Ning Yang, James Mirrlees, Robert Alexander Mundell and Charles K. Kao...
.
- 1976: The Morey Award, American Ceramic SocietyAmerican Ceramic SocietyThe American Ceramic Society is a non-profit professional organization for the ceramics community, with a focus on scientific research, emerging technologies, and applications in which ceramic materials are an element...
, USA. - 1977: The Stewart Ballantine Medal, Franklin InstituteFranklin InstituteThe Franklin Institute is a museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and one of the oldest centers of science education and development in the United States, dating to 1824. The Institute also houses the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial.-History:On February 5, 1824, Samuel Vaughn Merrick and...
, USA. - 1978: The Rank Prize, Rank Trust Fund, UK.
- 1978: The IEEE Morris N. Liebmann Memorial AwardIEEE Morris N. Liebmann Memorial AwardThe initially called Morris Liebmann Memorial Prize provided by the Institute of Radio Engineers , the IEEE Morris N. Liebmann Memorial Award was created in 1919 in honor of Colonel Morris N. Liebmann. It was initially given to awardees who had "made public during the recent past an important...
. Citation: "for making communication at optical frequencies practical by discovering, inventing, and developing the material, techniques and configurations for glass fiber waveguides and, in particular, for recognizing and proving by careful measurements in bulk glasses that silicon glass could provide the requisite low optical loss needed for a practical communication system". - 1979: The L. M. Ericsson International Prize, Sweden.
- 1980: The Gold Medal, AFCEAAFCEAThe Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association established in 1946, is a non-profit membership association serving the military, government, industry, and academia as an ethical forum for advancing professional knowledge and relationships in the fields of communications, information...
, USA. - 1981: The CESASC Achievement Award, Southern CaliforniaSouthern CaliforniaSouthern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
, USA. - 1983: USAI Achievement Award, U.S.-Asia Institute, USA.
- 1985: The IEEE Alexander Graham Bell MedalIEEE Alexander Graham Bell MedalThe IEEE Alexander Graham Bell Medal is an award honoring "exceptional contributions to the advancement of communications sciences and engineering" in the field of telecommunications...
. - 1985: The Marconi International Scientist AwardMarconi PrizeThe Marconi Prize is an annual award by The Marconi Society, which recognizes advancements in information technology and communications. The Prize includes a $100,000 honorarium and a work of sculpture, and honorees are called Marconi Fellows...
, Marconi Foundation, USA. - 1985: The Columbus Medal of the City of GenoaGenoaGenoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
, Italy. - 1986: The CIE Achievement Award of the CIE-USA Annual Awards, USA.
- 1987: The C & C Prize, Foundation for Communication and Computer Promotion, Japan.
- 1989: The Faraday MedalFaraday MedalThe Faraday Medal is a medal awarded by the Institution of Electrical Engineers The bronze medal is awarded without restriction as regards nationality, country of...
, Institution of Electrical EngineersInstitution of Electrical EngineersThe Institution of Electrical Engineers was a British professional organisation of electronics, electrical, manufacturing, and Information Technology professionals, especially electrical engineers. The I.E.E...
, UK. - 1989: The James C. McGroddy Prize for New MaterialsJames C. McGroddy Prize for New MaterialsThe James C. McGroddy Prize for New Materials is a prize that has been awarded annually by the American Physical Society since 1975, but was only given this name recently, following its endowment by IBM in 1999. The recipients are chosen for "outstanding achievement in the science and application...
, American Physical Society (APS). Citation: "for contribution to the materials research and development that resulted in practical low loss optical fibers, one of the cornerstones of optical communications technology". - 1992: The Gold Medal of the SocietySPIE Gold MedalSPIE Gold Medal, or Gold Medal Award of SPIE, is the highest honor of SPIE , and is considered as one of the highest award in the fields of photonic and optical engineering and related instrumental sciences. The Gold Medal started awarding annually since 1977, and the award includes a medal and...
, SPIE. - 1995: The Gold Medal for Engineering Excellence, The World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), UK.
- 1996: The Prince Philip MedalPrince Philip MedalThe Prince Philip Medal is named after HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who is the Senior Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering...
of the Royal Academy of EngineeringRoyal Academy of Engineering-Overview: is the UK’s national academy of engineering. The Academy brings together the most successful and talented engineers from across the engineering sectors for a shared purpose: to advance and promote excellence in engineering....
, UK; in recognition of "his pioneering work which led to the invention of optical fibre and for his leadership in its engineering and commercial realisation; and for his distinguished contribution to higher education in Hong Kong". - 1996: la Citta' di Padova, Italy.
- 1996: The 12th Japan PrizeJapan Prizeis awarded to people from all parts of the world whose "original and outstanding achievements in science and technology are recognized as having advanced the frontiers of knowledge and served the cause of peace and prosperity for mankind."- Explanation :...
. Citation: "for pioneering research on wide-band, low-loss optical fiber communications". - 1998: The International Lecture Medal, IEEInstitution of Electrical EngineersThe Institution of Electrical Engineers was a British professional organisation of electronics, electrical, manufacturing, and Information Technology professionals, especially electrical engineers. The I.E.E...
, UK. - 1999: The Charles Stark Draper PrizeCharles Stark Draper PrizeThe National Academy of Engineering annually awards the Charles Stark Draper Prize, which is given for the advancement of engineering and the education of the public about engineering. It is one of three prizes that constitute the "Nobel Prizes of Engineering" - the others being the Academy's Russ...
(co-recipient with Robert D. Maurer and John B. MacChesney), USA. - 2001: Millennium Outstanding Engineer Award, Hong Kong.
- 2006: The HKIE Gold Medal Award, HKIE (The Hong Kong Institute of Engineers), Hong Kong.
- 2009: The Nobel Prize in Physics (1/2 of the prize), Sweden. Citation: "for groundbreaking achievements concerning the transmission of light in fibers for optical communication".
- 2009: The IEEE Photonics SocietyIEEE Photonics SocietyThe IEEE Photonics Society, formerly the IEEE Lasers and Electro-Optics Society , is a society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers , focused on the scientific and engineering knowledge about the field of quantum electronics.In the hierarchy of IEEE, the Photonics Society is one...
Plaque. - 2010 (Feb 27): Distinguished Science & Technology Award, 2010 Asian American Engineer of the Year Award, AAEOY 2010, USA.
- 2010 (Mar 27): 2009/2010 World Chinese Grand Prize, Phoenix TelevisionPhoenix TelevisionPhoenix Satellite Television Holdings Ltd or Phoenix Television is a Hong Kong-based Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese television broadcaster that serves the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong along with other markets with substantial Chinese viewers...
, Hong Kong. - 2010 (April 8/9): Chinese American Distinction Award, San Francisco, USA.
- 2010 (July 1): Grand Bauhinia MedalGrand Bauhinia MedalThe Grand Bauhinia Medal the highest award under the Hong Kong honours and awards system, is to recognise the selected person's lifelong and highly significant contribution to the well-being of Hong Kong. The awardee is entitled to the postnominal letters GBM and the style "The Honorable"...
, Hong Kong SAR.
Others
- Featured in Science Museum LondonScience Museum (London)The Science Museum is one of the three major museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is part of the National Museum of Science and Industry. The museum is a major London tourist attraction....
, London, UK. - 1993: The Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)Order of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
. - The 3463 Kaokuen3463 Kaokuen3463 Kaokuen is a main-belt asteroid discovered on December 3, 1981 by Purple Mountain Observatory at Nanking.- External links :*...
, discovered in 1981, named after Kao in 1996. - 1996 (November 7): The North Building of the Chinese University of Hong Kong Science Centre has been named as Charles K. Kao Building.
- 1999: Asian of the CenturyAsian of the CenturyAsian of the Century, is a centurial issue of the 20th century held by American AsianWeek magazine and CNN in 1999 that features and profiles Asian persons who have topped their respective fields.-Introduction:...
, Science and Technology. - 2002: Leader of the Year – Innovation Technology Category, Sing TaoSing Tao News CorporationSing Tao News Corporation Limited is a Hong Kong listed company. It is mainly focused on the business of Media Ownership & Services, Human Capital Management, as well as Broadband Content & Distribution. It was formerly called Global China Group Holdings Limited...
, Hong Kong. - October 21, 2002: Inducted into the Engineering Hall Of Fame, the 50th Anniversary Issue, Electronic Design.
- January 3, 2008: Inducted into the ‘Celebration 60’, British CouncilBritish CouncilThe British Council is a United Kingdom-based organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales, and in Scotland...
's 60th anniversary in Hong Kong. - November 4, 2009: Honorary Citizenship, and the Dr. Charles Kao Day in Mountain View, CaliforniaMountain View, California-Downtown:Mountain View has a pedestrian-friendly downtown centered on Castro Street. The downtown area consists of the seven blocks of Castro Street from the Downtown Mountain View Station transit center in the north to the intersection with El Camino Real in the south...
, USA. - December 30, 2009: The landmark auditorium in the Hong Kong Science ParkHong Kong Science ParkThe Hong Kong Science Park is a science park in Hong Kong, located in Pak Shek Kok, New Territories, on the boundary of Sha Tin District and Tai Po District...
has been named after Kao – Charles K. Kao Auditorium. - 2009: Hong Kong's Person of Year.
- The Top 10 Asian Achievements of 2009 – No.7.
- 2010 (February): Honoree, Committee of 100Committee of 100 (United States)The Committee of 100 is a group of prominent Chinese Americans with the mission to "pool their strengths and experience to address important issues concerning the Chinese American community, as well as issues affecting Sino-American relations." It was founded in 1990.The declared key functions of...
, USA. - 2010 (March 18): The squareQuadrangle (architecture)In architecture, a quadrangle is a space or courtyard, usually rectangular in plan, the sides of which are entirely or mainly occupied by parts of a large building. The word is probably most closely associated with college or university campus architecture, but quadrangles may be found in other...
of the Independent Schools Foundation AcademyIndependent Schools Foundation AcademyThe Independent Schools Foundation Academy is a non-profit bilingual private school in Hong Kong. It is also an IBO World School, and offers the IB Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme...
(ISF Academy) has been named after Kao. - The 2010 OFCOptical Fiber ConferenceThe Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exposition is the premier international event for both the science and business of optical communications, with a comprehensive technical program and the largest all-optical business exhibition....
/NFOECIEEE Communications SocietyThe IEEE Communications Society is a professional society of the IEEE. It is also known by the abbreviation ComSoc. The Society focuses on two principal areas: the science of, and education about, communications engineering with the goal of advancing the state of the field; and professional...
Conferences were dedicated to Kao, March 23–25, San Diego, California, USA. - May 14–15, 2010: Two sessions were dedicated to Kao, The 19th Annual Wireless and Optical Communications Conference (WOCC 2010), Shanghai, P.R.China.
- May 22, 2010: Inducted into the mementoMementoA memento is a keepsake or souvenir of remembrance.Memento may also refer to:* Memento , a 2000 feature-length film directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Guy Pearce* Memento , a Czech book written by Radek John...
archive of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. - Mid-2010: Hong Kong Definitive StampDefinitive stampA definitive stamp is a postage stamp, that is part of a regular issue of a country's stamps available for sale by the postal service for an extended period of time...
SheetletSheet of stampsA sheet of stamps or press sheet is a unit of stamps as printed, usually on large sheets of paper based on the size of the printing plate, that are separated into panes that are sold at post offices. Where more than one pane is on a printed sheet they are arranged in a table-like arrangement...
(No. 1), Hong Kong SAR. - June 11, 2010: The Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE)Order of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
. - March 25, 2011: Blue plaqueBlue plaqueA blue plaque is a permanent sign installed in a public place to commemorate a link between that location and a famous person or event, serving as a historical marker....
unveiled in HarlowHarlowHarlow is a new town and local government district in Essex, England. It is located in the west of the county and on the border with Hertfordshire, on the Stort Valley, The town is near the M11 motorway and forms part of the London commuter belt.The district has a current population of 78,889...
, Essex, UK.
See also
- Fiber optics
- Fiber-optic communicationFiber-optic communicationFiber-optic communication is a method of transmitting information from one place to another by sending pulses of light through an optical fiber. The light forms an electromagnetic carrier wave that is modulated to carry information...
- Single-mode optical fiberSingle-mode optical fiberIn fiber-optic communication, a single-mode optical fiber is an optical fiber designed to carry only a single ray of light . Modes are the possible solutions of the Helmholtz equation for waves, which is obtained by combining Maxwell's equations and the boundary conditions...
- Multi-mode optical fiberMulti-mode optical fiberMulti-mode optical fiber is a type of optical fiber mostly used for communication over short distances, such as within a building or on a campus...
- Submarine communications cableSubmarine communications cableA submarine communications cable is a cable laid on the sea bed between land-based stations to carry telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean....
Monographs
- Optical fiber technology; by Charles K. Kao. IEEE Press, New York, USA; 1981.
- Optical Fiber Technology, II; by Charles K. Kao. IEEE Press, New York, USA; 1981, 343 pages. ISBN 0-471-09169-3 ISBN 978-0-471-09169-1.
- Optical Fiber Systems: Technology, Design, and Applications; by Charles K. Kao. McGraw-HillMcGraw-HillThe McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., is a publicly traded corporation headquartered in Rockefeller Center in New York City. Its primary areas of business are financial, education, publishing, broadcasting, and business services...
, USA; 1982; 204 pages. ISBN 0-07-033277-0 ISBN 978-0-07-033277-5. - Optical fibre (IEE materials & devices series, Volume 6); by Charles K. Kao. Palgrave MacmillanPalgrave MacmillanPalgrave Macmillan is an international academic and trade publishing company, headquartered in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom and with offices in New York, Melbourne, Sydney, Hong Kong, Delhi, Johannesburg. It was created in 2000 when St...
on behalf of IEEE; 1988; University of MichiganUniversity of MichiganThe University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
; 158 pages. ISBN 0-86341-125-8 ISBN 978-0-86341-125-0 - A Choice Fulfilled: the Business of High Technology; by Charles K. Kao. The Chinese University Press/ Palgrave Macmillan; 1991, 203 pages. ISBN 962-201-521-2 ISBN 978-962-201-521-0
- Tackling the Millennium Bug Together: Public Conferences; by Charles K. Kao. Central Policy UnitCentral Policy UnitThe Central Policy Unit , established in 1989, is responsible for advising the Chief Executive of Hong Kong.-Senior staff:Head, CPU* Professor Lau Siu-kai Deputy Head, CPU* Mr Robin IPMembers...
, Hong Kong; 48 pages, 1998. - Technology Road Maps for Hong Kong: a Preliminary Study; by Charles K. Kao. Office of Industrial and Business Development, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; 126 pages, 1990.
- Nonlinear Photonics: Nonlinearities in Optics, Optoelectronics and Fiber Communications; by Yili Guo, Kin S. Chiang, E. Herbert Li, and Charles K. Kao. The Chinese University Press, Hong Kong; 2002, 600 pages.
Further reading
- K. C. Kao, G. A. Hockham (1966), "Dielectric-fibre surface waveguides for optical frequencies", Proc. IEE 113 (7): 1151–1158.
- K. C. Kao, T. W. Davies (1968), "Spectrophotometric Studies of Ultra Low Loss Optical Glasses – I: Single Beam Method", Journal of Scientific Instruments (Journal of Physics E) 2 (1): 1063–1068.
- K. C. Kao (June 1986), "1012 bit/s Optoelectronics Technology", IEE Proceedings 133, Pt.J, No 3, 230–236.
- K. C. Kao, A Time And A Tide (Autobiography of Charles K. Kao)
- K. C. Kao (July 2005)《潮平岸闊——高錕自述》(translated by 許迪鏘) Joint PublishingJoint PublishingJoint Publishing is a book store chain and publisher founded at Queen's Road Central in Hong Kong in 18 October 1948. It is one of major book store chains in Hong Kong. Currently a subsidiary company of Sino United Publishing Limited....
(Autobiography of Charles K. Kao)
External links
- 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics information
- BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
: Lighting the way to a revolution - IEEE Oral-History: Charles Kao
- Mountain View Voice: The legacy of Charles Kao
- Man who lit up the world – Professor Charles Kao CBE FREng Ingenia, Issue 43, June 2010