Generalized symmetries
& quantum phases
Fusion category symmetries, their on-site realizations, and the classification and construction of non-invertible symmetry-protected topological phases.
Theoretical physics · CUHK
Chenqi Meng
PhD student in Physics
I am a PhD student in the Department of Physics at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, supervised by Zhengcheng Gu. My interests include tensor networks, generalized symmetries, and conformal field theory.
Research interests
I am drawn to a mathematical approach to physics. I like to start with ideal models and fixed-point theories, where the underlying structures are easier to understand, and then ask what carries over to the messier reality of physical systems.
I find Liang Kong’s work particularly inspiring. In the longer term, I would like to explore higher-dimensional conformal field theories and work towards more realistic physical problems. The topics below describe my current research.
Generalized symmetries
Tensor network
renormalization
Symmetry-aware coarse-graining algorithms for statistical systems and lattice field theories, with practical implementations in Julia.
Conformal field theory
& holographic duality
Algebraic approaches to critical fixed points and the extraction of conformal data, organized by anyon sector, from tensor networks.
Papers & preprints
-
Algebraic Tensor Network Renormalization and Holographic duality
arXiv:2610.08787 · October 2026
-
A Practical Introduction to Tensor Network Renormalization with TNRKit.jl
SciPost Physics Codebases 77 (2026)
-
Non-invertible SPTs: an on-site realization of (1+1)d anomaly-free fusion category symmetry
arXiv:2412.20546 · Revised March 2025
Software
I contribute to TNRKit.jl, a collaborative Julia package for tensor network renormalization.
Other code: BoundaryBulkKit.jl · GitHub
About me
As an undergraduate, I was particularly interested in Roger Penrose’s work and the theory of gravity. My current work is closer to tensor networks and algebraic structures, but understanding the physical world remains the longer-term motivation.
Outside physics, I enjoy hiking and cycling. I also like M. C. Escher’s art.
2021 — Present
PhD in Physics in progress
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Advisor: Zhengcheng Gu
2017 — 2021
BS in Physics
University of Science and Technology of China
Tools & methods
Julia · Python · C · Mathematica
Loop-TNR · DMRG · Category theory
M. C. Escher
Liberation
Lithograph, 1955
I like the sense of birds becoming free of the abstract pattern below.
Artwork © The M.C. Escher Company.
Image: Escher in The Palace.
M. C. Escher
Circle Limit IV
Heaven and Hell · Woodcut, 1960
Another favorite: angels and devils in the hyperbolic geometry of the Poincaré disk.
Artwork © The M.C. Escher Company.
Image: Escher in The Palace.
05 / CONTACT
Contact
I welcome conversations about tensor networks, generalized symmetries, and related research.