Extreme lab targets more intl scientists

China's Synergetic Extreme Condition User Facility is opening its doors to more foreign scientists as it seeks to boost global collaboration in fundamental science and expand international experiment time at the site in Beijing over the next five years, experts said.

While international user experiment time currently accounts for only 4 percent of the total, the facility aims to surpass 20 percent within five years, a goal experts described as realistic given rising global interest in experiments under extreme conditions.

Chen Xianhui, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and professor at the University of Science and Technology of China, said the facility is like an "all-round athlete" in scientific research, with its integrated capabilities across ultralow temperatures, ultrahigh pressures, high magnetic fields and ultrafast optical fields. Its "one stop" research environment offers unique support for fundamental studies, Chen said.

He described the target of 20 percent as an "initial goal", adding that the large-scale facility could serve as a "calling card "for China's commitment to openly sharing science and technology.

Located in Huairou district, the facility passed a national acceptance review early this year after fully commencing trial operations in 2023. It has since attracted interest from scientists worldwide, particularly in the fields of materials research and condensed matter physics.

Cheng Jinguang, deputy director of the Institute of Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the facility embodies "openness and sharing", consistent with the international spirit of large-scale scientific facilities. It operates under global standards, accepting applications twice a year in March and September, with all approved experiments free of charge.

"Large-scale scientific facilities are important windows for breaking down barriers. Science knows no borders, and the stable experimental conditions and precise measurement capabilities provided by these facilities are common needs for researchers worldwide," Cheng said.

More than 50 foreign scientists from 13 countries and over 100 Chinese scientists joined the fourth Conference on Physics under Synergetic Extreme Conditions in Huairou district last week, reflecting growing interest in the facility's potential.

Professor Yoshiya Uwatoko from the University of Tokyo described the facility as "world-class" and said that collaborating with Chinese institutions grants researchers access to cutting-edge infrastructure that accelerates discovery and fosters long-term scientific exchange.

Igor Vinograd, a researcher from the Grenoble High Magnetic Field Laboratory under the National Center for Scientific Research in France, said the facility enables experiments that are not possible in Europe, noting that while resistive magnets in Grenoble can reach 42 Tesla, experiments there are limited to seven-hour sessions. By comparison, the Chinese facility can provide a steady 26 to 40 Tesla magnetic field for more than 12 days.

Ariando Ariando, a professor from the National University of Singapore, said he sees its potential for his research on quantum materials and quantum transport, which requires high magnetic fields.

"As SECUF grows, I believe it will become a key hub for global research in extreme conditions, and we're excited to be a part of that journey," he said.