Key extreme-condition research facility opens

A key scientific facility in Beijing that can generate ultra-extreme experimental conditions is now operational, enabling scientists to conduct groundbreaking research with advanced equipment, the Chinese Academy of Sciences announced on Wednesday.

The Synergetic Extreme Condition User Facility can generate experimental conditions such as temperatures near absolute zero (?273.15 C), ultra-high pressure approaching that of the Earth's core and ultrafast light fields that are as quick as an attosecond, or one-quintillionth of a second.

"Under extreme conditions, matter exhibits extraordinary states. For example, near absolute zero, atoms and molecules arrange themselves in highly ordered patterns. Such conditions are vital tools for uncovering new natural phenomena and laws, paving the way for discoveries that could transform our world," said Li Peiling, an associate researcher at the academy's Institute of Physics.

Many Nobel Prize-winning breakthroughs in recent decades, including the integer quantum Hall effect (1985 Nobel Prize in Physics) and high-temperature superconductors (1987 Nobel Prize in Physics), were achieved under extreme laboratory conditions. These foundational discoveries later evolved into transformative technologies such as maglev trains, femtosecond laser eye surgery, satellite telescopes and quantum chips.

"Developed nations such as the United States, European countries and Japan have heavily invested in extreme-condition research. The completion of the SECUF significantly enhances our capabilities in materials science and related fields, playing a pivotal role in advancing technological progress," said Cheng Jinguang, deputy director of the Institute of Physics.

Located in Beijing's Huairou district, the SECUF began construction in September 2017 as the first key scientific facility project in Huairou Science City. It is the world's first facility to integrate ultra-low temperatures, ultra-high pressures, strong magnetic fields and ultrafast light fields into a single platform, according to the institute.

A core component of the SECUF is the Extreme Conditions Quantum State Control System, which provides ultra-low temperatures and ultra-strong magnetic fields to support cutting-edge research such as quantum chip development.

Traditional computer chips face physical limits as transistor sizes shrink to nanometers, where quantum effects cause current leakage. Quantum chips, however, offer a revolutionary solution.

In December, Google's quantum chip solved a calculation in five minutes that would take a conventional computer longer than the age of the universe.

"This staggering leap in capability — termed 'quantum supremacy' or 'quantum advantage' — is a critical frontier in global computing competition. It's why we're racing to develop quantum technologies," Li said.

At the facility, China's self-developed refrigeration and thermal insulation systems can achieve temperatures infinitely close to absolute zero essential for advanced experiments. Meanwhile, ultrafast light fields allow scientists to capture the motion of tiny particles such as electrons, said Dong Shuo, an associate researcher at the academy's Institute of Physics.

"Attoseconds represent the smallest timescale that human instruments can currently resolve. At this scale, we can not only observe a smaller physical world, but also achieve extremely precise control over instruments by using attosecond lasers as switching devices," she said.

"Imagine this: Using a human hand to flip a switch might take one-hundredth of a second, while a robotic arm could do it in one-thousandth of a second. But a laser switch can operate in femtoseconds," she said.

Femtosecond (one-quadrillionth of a second) laser eye surgery is one such application of ultrafast light technology.

"In this facility, we can expect to generate even shorter attosecond laser pulses and develop new equipment to produce such lasers. Ultimately, these advancements will find applications in fields such as medicine and space observation," Dong said.

"The SECUF is just the first step. We start with lab research, but the superconductors, quantum chips and laser devices developed here will eventually transform industries and daily life," said Zhou Rui, head of the facility's High Magnetic Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Experimental Station.

The facility allows scientists to freely combine extreme conditions, such as specific magnetic fields and temperatures, to test material properties.

"Researchers worldwide can collaborate here, share samples and spark new ideas, fostering a world-class scientific environment," Zhou said.

Fang Biling contributed to this story.