1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 583 Nobel Prize Announcement! The boss is upset! Mysterious single electron emission instrument! Shocking experiment!

Time flies, and it is already October.

The news of Li Qiwei's illness did not spread, otherwise it would have caused an earthquake in the physics community.

The test report sent by Fleming showed that all his data indicators were normal, indicating that he was in good health.

Li Qiwei was a little disappointed about this.

He thought that his cells would undergo some changes as a result of the time travel.

But even if there isn't, it doesn't matter.

Li Qiwei looked out the window with great enthusiasm!
"Let me prove my truth through eternity with my mortal body!"

As the fourth Bruce Conference approached, the physics community began to become restless.

This meeting, which concerns the fate of quantum mechanics, has attracted the attention of countless people.

Young physicists who grew up in the 20th century witnessed the development of quantum mechanics every day.

This theory has become the most core theory in current physics, even surpassing the theory of relativity.

Although there are big names like Fermi who are preparing to switch to nuclear physics, more people are still determined to devote themselves to quantum mechanics.

Moreover, the knowledge of quantum mechanics is still used in the study of nuclear physics.

This shows the status of quantum mechanics in the field of physics.

However, before the meeting began, another major event became the topic of conversation.

1924 10 Month 15 Day.

The annual Nobel Prize announcement.

This year's Nobel Prize winner in Physics is Johann Siegbahn from Sweden.

He was awarded for his research and discoveries in the field of X-ray spectroscopy.

Siegbahn's work allowed physicists to quantitatively study the X-rays emitted by individual atoms.

This played an important role in the development of old quantum theory and atomic physics.

In real history, the Sigbarn family can also be considered a physics family.

In the history of the Nobel Prize in Physics, there are a total of four pairs of fathers and sons who both won the Nobel Prize.

They are: Bragg father and son, Thomson father and son, Bohr father and son, and Siegbahn father and son.

Siegbahn's son, Kai Siegbahn, invented a new technique for detecting the composition of materials, namely X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

This technology uses X-rays to irradiate the sample, causing the electrons in the sample atoms to be excited and form photoelectrons.

By measuring the properties of photoelectrons, the composition of the sample can be analyzed.

For this achievement, Kai Siegbaum shared the 1981 Nobel Prize in Physics with two other people.

In addition, Kay's two sons also became professors of physics in Sweden.

Uppsala University, Sweden.

The news that 38-year-old Professor Sigbahn had won the Nobel Prize spread throughout the school in an instant.

At one time, he received congratulations from countless people.

Many friends and students flocked to his office to listen to the Nobel Prize winner's acceptance speech.

Sigbarn was in high spirits, but also felt a little embarrassed by everyone's enthusiasm.

Although he is the second person from Sweden to win the Nobel Prize, the achievements of the first Nobel Prize winner, Darren, were not purely academic in physics.

Therefore, Sigbahn truly represents the level of physics in Sweden.

He is the fifth person after Bakla to win the Nobel Prize in Physics for X-rays.

This shows the X-ray face.

Uppsala University held a lively celebration ceremony, and Sigbahn gave a speech sharing his research experience.

At this moment, he was envied by everyone in the audience.

"Professor Sigbahn is amazing! He won the Nobel Prize at the age of only 38!"

"That is the highest honor that countless people dream of!"

However, after the ceremony, when Sigbarn returned to his office, his face was not happy at all, but full of regret.

It was as if he missed something more important than the Nobel Prize.

At this time, a doctoral student came in. Seeing his mentor in such a state, he couldn't help but ask:
"Professor, you have received the highest honor in the field of physics. Why do you look so lost?"

When Sigbarn saw that it was his favorite student, Per, he sighed and said with true feelings:
"Because I am an unlucky Nobel Prize winner."

Per is puzzled. Can winning the Nobel Prize be considered bad luck?

Then what is the point of me, an older PhD?
Unlucky guy?
Soon, Sigbarn recovered his composure and explained with a smile:
"Pell, what do you think is the thing you are most looking forward to next?"

Upon hearing this, Per blurted out without hesitation:
"The Fourth Bruce Conference, of course!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he was immediately shocked.

He finally understood why his mentor was so unhappy.

Because the Nobel Prize and the Bruce Conference conflict in time!

The popularity of the mentor winning the Nobel Prize was quickly overshadowed by it.

After all, any award pales in comparison to the Blues Conference.

Per knew that his mentor had not received an invitation to the Fourth Bruce Conference.

"No wonder the instructor is unhappy."

Sigbarn sighed:
“The fourth Bruce Conference is attracting much attention.”

“It can be called the ultimate conference on quantum mechanics.”

“The topics discussed at the conference are the most cutting-edge topics in current physics and are related to the nature of the world.”

“Those who can attend this meeting will go down in history.”

"My research results and direction are still a little off after all."

Siegbahn served for a period of time as a member of the Nobel Prize in Physics Committee.

So he was very clear about his position in the physics community.

The Bruce Conference was his unattainable dream.

Upon hearing this, Per was shocked.

His mentor's words made him feel the despairing, cold and hierarchical path of physics research.

In the eyes of an ordinary PhD like him, the professors in the school are the future he most desires, with noble status and respect.

But in the eyes of ordinary professors, Sigbain, who won the Nobel Prize, is the pinnacle among professors and the ultimate that all professors dream of.

However, Sigbarn could only imagine the glory of the Bruce Conference in his office.

Everyone there is a super boss who can influence the direction of physics and is the object of Sigbarn's envy.

And above these super bosses, there is Professor Bruce who can suppress the world for eternity!

This is the cruel world of physics!

One step, one level!

If you fail to become a professor, you will end up being an ant, unable to peek into the sky of physics!

Even though I am a professor, I am still an ant. The sun and the moon are high in the sky, but I don’t know the whole picture!

Per muttered to himself:

“Physics is too hard!”

At this moment, many people feel the same as Sigbarn.

The future of quantum mechanics, and even the future of physics, lies in the hands of a small number of people.

They were looking forward to the content of the Bruce Conference, but also regretted that they could not experience this supreme conference in physics in person.

“What a spectacle that would be!”

And those big guys who received invitations to the conference were no less excited.

Can the key remaining problems of quantum mechanics really be solved?

How can waves and particles be unified?

United States, Germany, France, Denmark, Netherlands.
Dozens of gazes from different parts of the world seemed to pierce the sky, searching for the answer in the sky.

Just as countless people were waiting for the meeting to begin.

However, Li Qiwei went to Cambridge University in a low-key manner.

He wanted to confirm one last thing with Rutherford.

Inside the Cavendish Laboratory.

Rutherford was tinkering with a strange machine.

Chadwick, Blackett, Walton, Kapitsa and others all came on the field to assist.

They had never seen this kind of instrument before and didn't know what it was used for, so they were extremely curious about it.

A few people only knew that Professor Bruce had come to the laboratory once a month ago and had a secret conversation with Professor Rutherford for a long time.

Afterwards, Professor Rutherford put down everything he was doing and focused on his research, and he didn't even have time to attend group meetings.

Chadwick and the others exchanged glances.

However, Professor Rutherford was working attentively and they did not dare to disturb him.

After a long while, Rutherford finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's done."

At this time, Chadwick and others finally couldn't help asking:

"Professor, what on earth is this?"

Rutherford touched the machine and said with a smile:

"This is an instrument that fires single electrons."

Wow!
Everyone was shocked!
"Emitting a single electron?"

"How is this possible?"

"Can the electrons still be typed out one by one?"

For a moment, everyone became even more curious.

They are not only curious about the principles of the instrument, but also where the instrument can be applied.

After all, it seems that an electron can't do any experiments.

Even the simplest bombardment experiment requires a large number of electrons.

Rutherford smiled and said:

"This is the instrument that Professor Bruce asked me to build for him."

"To be honest, I didn't believe it could be built at first."

"This instrument requires too much control over the electron emission process."

"But Professor Bruce made several very critical comments."

"After a month, I finally made it."

Chadwick and others were all shocked.

They heard a rare hint of boasting in Professor Rutherford's words.

This shows how difficult it is to manufacture this instrument.

Walton was also an expert in making experimental instruments. He asked:

"Professor, what experiment will this instrument be used for?"

"The energy of a single electron is very small, so it should not be possible to do research in nuclear physics."

Rutherford said helplessly:

"I really don't know that."

"Bruce only said that this instrument was related to the Fourth Bruce Conference."

"I'm afraid he'll do some experiments on the spot."

Rutherford himself was also full of doubts.

He was also confused after hearing Li Qiwei's request.

"What?"

"Only one electron at a time?"

As a giant in experimental physics, Rutherford had never seen such strange experimental conditions.

He was looking forward to the next meeting even more.

I worked so hard for a month to come up with this, it must shock everyone.

Just as Rutherford and others were discussing, Li Qiwei walked in.

He laughed loudly and said:
"Old Lu, is the equipment I want ready?"

"You must not let me down."

Wow!
When he saw Bruce, Rutherford immediately smiled.

He said coquettishly:
"Good for you Bruce!"

"I've been busy for you for a month, and you didn't even say a word of thanks."

"Don't even think about taking the equipment with you."

Chadwick and the others smiled knowingly, and they said respectfully in unison:
"Professor Bruce!"

Li Qiwei nodded to them, then smiled and said to Rutherford:

"That won't work."

"Without this instrument, the Bruce Conference would not have been possible."

Wow!
Everyone was shocked again!
How could this instrument be so important?

"What on earth is Professor Bruce going to do?"

Rutherford was also extremely curious when he heard this.

"Bruce, tell me quickly, what are you going to do with this instrument?"

Li Qiwei was unmoved and said:

"Hey, keep it secret!"

After that, he ignored everyone's confused and shocked looks, walked to the side of the instrument, and said with emotion:
"I finally figured out the single-electron double-slit experiment ahead of time!"

That’s right, the function of this single electron emitter is to realize the single electron double slit experiment!

This is also the absolute highlight of the 4th Bruce Conference.

Li Qiwei has waited for this day for too long.

Not only did he ask Rutherford to make an electron emitter for him, he also used advanced methods of later generations to create a double slit on a scale of tens of nanometers.

In this way, the hardware for the single-electron double-slit experiment is complete.

In real history, the double-slit interference experiment has undergone several evolutions.

First, in 1801, Thomas Young conducted a double-slit interference experiment on monochromatic light, which strongly proved the wave nature of light.

Then in 1909, Taylor designed and completed the double-slit interference experiment of a single photon for the first time, proving that a single photon has wave properties.

But this is not surprising, because light is a wave, and a photon is also a wave.

Later, de Broglie proposed the matter wave theory.

At this time, a physicist suddenly had an idea:

"Since electrons are also waves, what will happen if we use a single electron in the double-slit experiment?"

Unfortunately, under the experimental conditions at the time, it was impossible to conduct such a precise experiment.

It was not until 1974 that Italian physicist Meli and others finally solved the problem of single-electron emission and successfully conducted the experiment.

This single-electron double-slit experiment was once rated as "the most beautiful experiment in the history of physics", and the original Young's double-slit interference experiment was only ranked fifth.

This experiment also strongly proves the correctness of quantum mechanics.

In 1979, based on the single-electron double-slit experiment, a physicist once again had a sudden inspiration and proposed the idea of ​​a "delayed choice experiment."

Immediately afterwards, in 1982, another physicist proposed the thought experiment of "quantum eraser experiment".

Later, these ideas were verified by experiments.

Some people have even conducted a "delayed quantum eraser experiment" that combines the two.

This experiment has also been called "the scariest and weirdest experiment" by many marketing accounts.

Anyway, it's all "shocking", "it doesn't exist anymore", "the world is fake".
But no matter how it varies, the single-electron double-slit experiment is the real core and foundation.

Once you understand this experiment, all other variant experiments will be understandable.

At the same time, you have truly stepped into the door of quantum mechanics.

At this moment, Li Qiwei had a lot of thoughts in his mind.

He used his advanced knowledge to bring the single-electron double-slit experiment to light decades ahead of schedule.

It will inevitably cause endless shock!

As for great people like Einstein and Schrödinger, once they have inspiration, they will definitely be able to draw inferences about other situations.

The Fourth Bruce Conference will shock everyone.

And this is just the beginning!

(End of this chapter)