On August 14, 2003 Nobel Prize Winner in Physics Anthony James Leggett visited SUSTech. He is the third Nobel laureate who have visited SUSTech after Professor Chen-Ning Yang and Professor Robert H. Grubbs. Through the introduction of Weng Wenkang, associate professor of the department of physics of SUSTech, who used to be a student of Prof. Leggett, an interview was conducted with professor Leggett on August 15.     

Prof. Anthony James Leggett has been a professor of physics at the University of Illinois since 1983. He has shaped the theoretical understanding of superfluid helium-3, which was recognized by the 2003 Nobel Prize in Physics. Though 78 years old, he is still vigorous and humorous, enjoying a wide range of hobbies. As a family man, he usually stays with his family in his spare time.

“The More Mathematical the Research Field is, the Earlier One May Produce Achievements”

In the history of science, some scientists became famous at an early age while others were late bloomers. Professor Leggett finished his work at around 35, which was an early stage. Talking about the Nobel Prize, Professor Leggett holds that the Prize prefers an achievement in a specific field rather than the contribution as a whole. Besides, the timing of an achievement depends largely on the research field. The more mathematical it is, the earlier one may produce achievements. It’s not common for an experimental physicist to make an outstanding achievement at a young age. Prof. Leggett deems himself as a mathematical and theoretical research worker. Puzzles in Science of physics tend to be worked out by younger people. But when it comes to a more complicated problem that involves a great variety of considerations, it’s more likely to be solved by older scientists who have more experience.   

Prof. Leggett also deems that the research field of a scientist is not unchangeable. The theoretical understanding on super fluid helium-3 that won him the Nobel Prize in 2003 had been completed and recognized as early as 1973. He was then interested in liquid helium and shifted his interest to quantum information in recent years.

“If Nothing Interesting Happens in Your Field, You Should Think About Change”

Whether one should persist in his research field or not? Prof, Leggett answered this question from his own experience. He explained that his interest in super fluid helium-3 was derived from an interesting experiment. It was due to the interesting theoretical development in the quantum information that he shifted to this field. He said: “If it turns out that nothing particularly interesting occurs in your field, you should think about change”. “The sensation induced by helium-3 lasted from 1970s to early 80s. After that, nothing exciting happened in this field,” he added.

Speaking of the academic lecture of SUSTech on August 16, Professor Leggett admited that the theme of the lecture is indirectly related to his recent research. One of his interests has been the foundations of quantum mechanics. The connection with the direction of time is still unknown. Apart from sharing information about his research, he is keen to learn something about the research of the professors of SUSTech.   

“Impressed by the Pleasant Environment of SUSTech”

Professor Leggett said that he was impressed by the pleasant environment of SUSTech after a few hours’ stay. He said the universities he visited in China are very energetic and keen to expand and the students are enthusiastic as well. According to him, China is confronted with a problem on how to keep equilibrium due to the rapid growth of the university system. In terms of graduate education, students in the UK are more independent. They propose their own projects and report to their supervisors, who will pay close attention to the development of the projects.

“Getting Involved in a Research Project is the Best Way to Keep Up with the Advances of Science and Technology”

When asked about how to understand scientists’ achievements as an undergraduate, Professor Leggett indicated that it’s difficult to understand the most recent advances for an undergraduate unless it’s a new field. The best way to keep up with the advances is to get involved in a research project. Now many universities encourage undergraduates to involve in some experimental or theoretical workshops, which can give SUSTech some enlightenment.

At last, Professor Leggett gave some suggestions to the students. He said that in doing a scientific research, the first thing is to follow your curiosity. Keep digging into the things you would like to understand, you will gain a lot in the course of time. Professor Leggett also said that teaching is very important if you want to pursue an academic career. In the long run, one can learn as much from teaching as from research.