Researchers check the steady high magnetic field experimental device in Hefei, Anhui province. (IMAGE FROM HIGH MAGNETIC FIELD LABORATORY, CAS)

The world's second experimental device on steady high magnetic field on the Science Island of the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) is now in operation.

The device's intensity is 429,000 Gs, equivalent to 800,000 times the terrestrial magnetic field, said Kuang Guangli, leader of the project, adding that it could increase to 450,000 Gs with further improvement.

Kuang, also head of CAS Hefei Institute of Physical Science and a CPPCC member, made his remarks on March 12 in an interview.

It will stand up to its counterpart in the US and become the most powerful magnetic field device in the world, he added.

The steady high magnetic field experimental device consists of five water-cooled magnets, four superconducting magnets, a mixed magnet and a series of peripheral experimental measurement systems.

"For decades, there were so many original achievements in the research of high magnetic fields, 19 of which won the Nobel Prize. It is called the 'cradle of the Nobel Prize', "said Kuang.

There are some unique and exquisite designs in the device, including the world's first microscope system that combines a scanning tunneling microscope, a magnetic force microscope and an atomic force microscope. It was installed on a 200,000-Gs superconducting magnet and can accurately characterize materials.

Kuang described it as "three microscopes on the tip of a needle" in a vivid way.

The researchers also developed a water-cooled magnet scanning tunneling microscope system, the first of its kind in the world.

Because the intensity provided by the superconducting magnet is insufficient, a uniquely designed microscope system is required to detect the state of the surface electrons in the ultra high magnetic field.

However, the high vibration environment generated by the water used to cool the magnet has a great influence on measurements at the atomic level.

"We have conquered the problem and reclaimed the 'virgin land' of scanning tunneling microscopy for researchers," said Kuang.

Last September, the experimental device was formally completed and accepted. According to the institute, more than 1,600 research teams from some 170 organizations have conducted research with the device and made a group of original scientific achievements.

Source: Science and Technology Daily