Chapter 178 Textbook-Like Operations

Ning Chen knew that the original intention of Shengzhou University in purchasing this equipment was to facilitate his own experiments, but since this equipment was placed in a public laboratory, there was definitely no claim that it was Ning Chen's exclusive experimental equipment.

Since neither Xu Zhou nor Sui Feng had used this equipment before, Ning Chen first explained the principle and basic usage of this equipment to them.

"I probably understand that this is a kind of epitaxial film-making equipment."

"Yes, I went to the Chinese Academy of Sciences to do experiments in order to obtain FeSe single atomic layer films. Now we have the most advanced molecular beam epitaxy equipment at Shengzhou University, and it is much easier to conduct experiments."

In this experiment, Ning Chen naturally would not let Xu Zhou and Sui Feng take on too important tasks, but let them assist him so that he could complete the Fe-As bond distance adjustment.

After explaining the basic experimental operations to Xu Zhou and Sui Feng and assigning tasks to them, the three officially started the experiment.

At the beginning, Xu Zhou and Sui Feng were not very familiar with these experimental operations and did not have good control over the parameters of the molecular beam epitaxy system.

Ning Chen knew that this was a very normal thing. After all, he couldn't expect everyone to be like him and be able to get used to unfamiliar experimental equipment in no time. What's more, they all helped him with the experiment in a friendly way. Ning Chen was very patient. He continued to explain various experimental operations to Xu Zhou and Sui Feng.

After constant practice, Xu Zhou and Sui Feng finally became familiar with various experimental operations.

At this time, Ning Chen could also focus on his own operations.

Ning Chen carefully controlled the growth rate and direction of the atomic layer, striving to make the atomic layer film grow on the substrate surface in his ideal way.

Because the bond distance between atoms in Ning Chen's ideal was relatively special, the entire operation was not smooth.

But as Ning Chen continued to sum up his experience, and the tacit understanding between the three of them became stronger and stronger.

After several days of experiments, Ning Chen finally successfully synthesized the ideal substance.

Looking at the material images obtained through scanning electron microscopes and transmission electron microscopes, Sui Feng said doubtfully:

"Looking at the images comparing the two substances, I really can't see any difference."

Xuzhou also smiled and said:

"Honestly, if I didn't look carefully, I would have thought it was the same substance. But if you zoom in and compare it carefully, you can find the difference."

As he spoke, Xu Zhou enlarged the images of the two substances to the maximum and compared them by adding horizontal planes.

"How about it, Sui Feng, do you see the difference?"

After Xu Zhou's comparison, Sui Feng also saw the difference between the two pictures.

"So it turns out that there is a slight difference in the height of the iron atoms on the Z-axis. I really can't see such a tiny difference if I don't zoom in on the picture."

At this time, Sui Feng was a little confused and couldn't figure out how Ning Chen could accurately process the differences in material structure that he couldn't even see through a microscope.

But if Sui Feng could figure this out, he might have published several "Nature" articles like Ning Chen.

After completing these experiments, Ning Chen could complete the remaining testing work independently.

When Ning Chen wanted to complete the rest of the experimental work alone, Xu Zhou said:

"Ning Chen, now there should be only the measurement experiment of superconducting properties, and we will complete it with you. I am quite looking forward to what the results of this experiment will be."

Although Sui Feng doesn't like doing experiments that much, since he has participated in this experiment, Sui Feng doesn't want to miss the last part of the experiment.

"Yes, I also want to learn some superconducting measurement experiments. Maybe I will also study topics in the direction of superconducting in the future."

Seeing that Xu Zhou and Sui Feng both said this, Ning Chen also agreed:

"No problem, let's finish the experiment together."

Ning Chen is not worried about whether he will be embarrassed if the experiment fails. After all, Ning Chen is very open-minded about this kind of thing. Even if the experiment fails again, he can just continue to summarize and analyze the reasons and start over.

Arriving at the superconducting measurement laboratory, Ning Chen was preparing for the experiment while explaining various experimental methods and precautions to Sui Feng.

Xu Zhou was watching the two people doing the experiment, looking forward to the final experimental results.

Sui Feng's learning ability is still very strong, and he quickly mastered the key steps in the experiment. Ning Chen also tried his best to give Sui Feng as many operating opportunities as possible, so that Sui Feng could quickly become familiar with the various operations in the experiment. .

After the test environment temperature dropped to the predicted superconducting transition temperature zone, Ning Chen said:

"At this time, you can slow down the cooling rate. If the experiment goes well, you will see a rapid change in resistance in a while. Otherwise, the experiment will most likely end in failure."

Ning Chen was somewhat surprised to find that when he handed over the control of the experiment to Sui Feng, he became much more relaxed.

At this moment, Sui Feng said:

"Ning Chen, when you talk about the sudden change in resistance, do you mean this kind of change?"

After hearing Sui Feng's words, Ning Chen and Xu Zhou quickly turned their attention to the testing equipment.

"Yes, this is the transformation! Senior Brother Sui, leave the next work to me."

At this critical step, Ning Chen didn't want Sui Feng to practice anymore. After all, the test of these data must be very accurate.

Ning Chen raised the temperature of the test circuit to allow the material to leave the superconducting transition temperature range again, and then slowly cooled it down.

After accurately recording the superconducting transition temperature zone of the material, Ning Chen continued to slow down the cooling rate while scanning the data on the test instrument back and forth.

Looking at Ning Chen's textbook experimental operation, Sui Feng also realized the huge gap between himself and Ning Chen.

At this time, the test resistance of the material was already lower than the maximum required value of superconductor resistance.

"35K... is relatively close to Xiaozhi and I's predicted value."

The temperature error of 5K is still within the ideal range, which is already a good level for a new iron-based superconductor system.

"Ning Chen, are we witnessing the birth of a new superconductor with you?"

Sui Feng was a little excited when he saw this situation. Even when he was doing his own experiments before, Sui Feng had never been in a similar mood to now.

Xuzhou heard this and said:

"You can basically say that. Of course, subsequent measurements of other properties will be needed before a final conclusion can be made."

In fact, the substances that have been found to be completely conductive all have completely diamagnetic and flux quantization properties, and there is no surprise in any case.

The rest of the measurement work is just a necessary process.

Ning Chen's discovery of a new iron-based superconductor was already a certainty.

"Wow, Ning Chen, are you going to publish another article in "Nature"? I really envy you. If one day I can publish an article in "Nature", even if it is just a sub-issue, I will take off. ah."

"Sui Feng, if you can post an article in one area, I will be satisfied." Xu Zhou said with a smile.