Guangzhou Daily client reported on August 17 that Academician Zhao Zhongxian is a leading scientist in the field of superconductivity in China. At present, there are two main types of high-temperature superconducting materials: copper oxide superconductors and iron-based superconductors. In terms of copper oxide, Zhao Zhongxian and his collaborators independently discovered the first superconducting material in the liquid nitrogen temperature region, and announced its elemental composition as Ba-Y-Cu-O for the first time in the world.

Talking about the international level of our country's scientific research in the field of superconductivity, Zhao Zhongxian told the reporter of Guangzhou Daily: "Our country's scientific research level in the field of superconductivity is at the forefront of the world. But not all of our problems are well done. We have short boards and long boards. Now, our long boards are constantly being strengthened, and our short boards are constantly being resolved. I am very confident that China will become a leading country in the field of superconductivity in the future."

Do not rush into scientific research

Talking about the recent hot topic of room temperature superconductivity, Zhao Zhongxian said: "LK-99 has nothing to do with superconductivity. The relevant work of Luo Jianlin and the others at the Institute of Physics (Chinese Academy of Sciences) have explained it quite clearly. Doing research work must Be cautious and take your time. The paper has little inspiration or influence for me, just leave it alone.”

Zhao Zhongxian believes that the people who did the research were too anxious. If you think about it a little bit more, you will find that it is not superconducting, and similar situations have happened before in the scientific field. "For example, in the 1990s, a national-level laboratory abroad said that a superconductor at normal pressure and 8 degrees Celsius was found in a material. At that time, many people were skeptical, but in fact this is a kind of mercury and The gold alloy undergoes a phase transition at 8 degrees Celsius, accompanied by a sharp change in resistance, and the resistance cannot be measured, so the discoverer thought it was superconducting. I think that as long as you think carefully, you won’t make similar mistakes.”

My goal is to do more for the society

"I think that to find high-temperature superconductors, we still need to start with a new mechanism. This is the direction we are working on now." Zhao Zhongxian said that all scientists in the world hope to find superconductors with higher critical temperatures, and the 82-year-old is currently He is still fighting in the front line of scientific research. He told reporters: "I am still exploring new superconductors. I hope to find new mechanisms to further increase the critical temperature. My postdoctoral fellow is doing this; the other thing is to promote high temperature. The application of superconductivity in electronics, now one of my postdoctoral fellows is engaged in research in this area, and my main role now is to push others to do it, and this is the current goal.”

Talking about his own contribution, Zhao Zhongxian’s answer to the reporter was touching: “I think the goal I pursue in life is to do more for the society and have social responsibility. As a scientific and technological worker, I hope to benefit the people through research first.” First, to serve the country; second, to contribute to human civilization, this is my idea, and this value has always been driving me forward.”

Zhao Zhongxian introduced that superconductivity has long been widely used. "In terms of conventional superconductors, for example, the nuclear magnetic resonance equipment in hospitals uses superconducting magnets. As for high-temperature superconductors, currently due to limitations in materials, costs, and mechanical properties, many There is still a process for large-scale application, but it has already begun to be applied. For example, current limiters used in power grids. At present, high-temperature superconducting current limiters are already working in Nan’ao Island, Shantou, Guangdong. Another example, using high-temperature The magnetic field generated by superconductivity is used for metal processing and heating, and it is just beginning now. I think it still has a good application prospect. In other aspects, high-temperature superconductivity can also make more contributions.”

Can't even let the "cold bench" sit

Zhao Zhongxian attaches great importance to the cultivation of junior students. He said: "In terms of teaching students, my principle is 'the master leads the door, and the practice is in the individual'. To give full play to each person's expertise, all I can do is to point out a direction that can meet the strengths of his students. The key point is Cultivate his ability. In my opinion, the key to a person's ability to grow up lies in the responsibilities he has to bear. Giving him responsibilities is the best way to cultivate him. When I was working on iron-based superconductors, my Students and young workers born in the 1980s have an evaluation—they are passionate, willing to endure hardships, able to fight, and reliable!"

Zhao Zhongxian also put forward pertinent suggestions for the training methods of young students today, "I think some of the current evaluations make everyone too anxious, which is not conducive to the development of science. In the past, it was always said that 'willing to sit on the bench for ten years', but now there are You are not even given a 'bench' to sit on, and you can't sit even if you want to. I think this is not in line with the laws of scientific research."