The Journal of the International Association of Physics Students

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The Journal of the International Association of Physics Students Introduction

really affect us? But after all, there are some advantages to a good public ...and now it’s my turn image, isn’t that the only way of ...and now it’s my turn getting money from the politicians? And of course a good reputation brings As I got off the plane from is almost a year till we meet again in about more physicists, and then we Novi Sad and planted my feet safely Coimbra, Portugal, the IAPS executive can have a bigger shot at getting the on Norwegian soil, I still didn’t quite committee will do its best to make knowledge of everything? know what I had thrown myself into. time fly. A lot of exciting things will Throughout 2004/2005 we will I like big challenges, and I think this happen throughout this next year. And engage ourselves in the traditional is one of those things where I act first you will know all about it by reading IAPS-activities such as IAPS-summer and think later. Not until the evening mIAPS, our monthly news-mail, or school, trip to CERN, cultural after when mails from Milla started JIAPS, as you are doing right now. exchange programs and of course to pour in did I get it. A small chill This year is especially exciting making another great ICPS. More went down my spine as I was since 2005 is the World Year of Physics about these activities will be posted thinking: “What are we going to do (WYP). We have to use this oppor- on the web, mIAPS and JIAPS. We now?”. I can honestly say that I still tunity to try and influence people all will also try to arrange other activities get the chill, but now I also have a over the world to believe that physics such as celebrating Einstein’s birthday small sense of control. is exciting and fun, like we do. For (the 14th of March), getting a job-fair My experience with IAPS is li- this part, we need your help. We as at the end of ICPS in Coimbra and mited to the last two ICPS-conferences, physics students have a responsibility helping organise WYP arrangements. that’s it. It’s like the If you have good first swim of the ideas or comments, summer; some jump please mail us: or some go step by [email protected]@iaps.info. step into the cold Until next is- water. I’m a jumper, sue, we will work but I do have a lot of hard doing IAPS experience with com- stuff and of course mittee work and do a little bit of university politics, studying. As you however the diffe- can see from the rence between IAPS images, I have fi- and university politics nished my master’s is that kindergarten exam. The topic experience should be was a transmission required when dealing electron micros- with professors… But copy study of steel, in the long run I am and for finishing still a rookie. I guess my friends bought that means that I still me a microscope. have these rare Isn’t that the cool- fantasies that we can “It’s me and my new microscope!” est thing ever?? So make a difference, I told my PhD-su- change the world. I would guess that to spread the joy of physics to non- pervisor that from now on I could this approach to life fades as you get physicists, after all we will benefit do the microscopy part at home. I older, and so I will use this now while from this since more people will hope you all have a nice and snowy I’ve still got it. actually understand our jokes ? winter. Well at least for the ones that A new autumn has arrived but At times we can wonder why have that possibility. the summer and ICPS still feels like it we should try to change people’s happened yesterday. Even though it opinions about physicists. Does it Annett Thogersen (the president)

Summary Online version: ISSN-1811-0029 IAPS JIAPS 3/2004 Printed version: ISSN-1811-0010 4 rue des Freres Lumieres Head editor: Front page photograph: András Zsom András Zsom F-68200 Mulhouse Proofreader: Contact information: France Jim Grozier [email protected] 2 JIAPS 2004/3. I A P S e v e n t s

Nice, warm sunny days were followed by heavy rain, but no weather whatsoever was able to ruin the IAPS summer school ‘04 magnificent atmosphere of the course. As always, the end of the course came sooner than anyone expected or A nice volleyball game, sauna programme included a visit to the hoped for. Before that everyone had to with a refreshing swim in the lake SMEAR II station (SMEAR = Station take part in an oral exam. The exam (every night!), PhD in Physics playing for Measuring Forest Ecosystem – results showed that all the participants guitar while you sip your port wine. Atmosphere Relations), which has had learnt a lot, so it was time for the IAPS summer school is all of this – and produced data for aerosol scientists for great farewell party, which was seasoned much more! ten years – one of the longest continuous by port wine, cheery Chilean music and The second IAPS summer school measurements of atmospheric aerosols some live music presented by one of the was held in the Hyytiälä forestry field in the world. lecturers, Dr. Harri Kokkola. station in Juupajoki, southern Finland, Some group work had of course As the organiser of the IAPS some 200 km north of the capital of to be included as well. However, once summer school I was very happy after Finland, Helsinki. A group of 24 Physics again it was proved that students are the course. All the arrangements went students gathered together to attend this very durable: even after the hard fine, the course was interesting and the mid-August event. Although not as programme of the day, most participants participants satisfied. Now I’m looking popular as the first summer school held joined the sauna session, followed by a for the next IAPS summer school – in Portugal two years earlier, I doubt swim in the lake (which was getting wherever and whenever it will be – to that the fun of this summer school lost out to the first one. Most of the participants originated from Nordic countries, but there were students from Germany, Ireland and Portugal as well. The title of the summer school was “Role of Organic Aerosols in Cloud Formation”. The Nordic graduate school CBACCI (Biosphere- Carbon-Aerosol-Cloud-Climate Interactions) offered great help in the organisation by offering renowned lecturers for the course and some financial support for the participants from the Nordic countries. The programme of the course was very intensive. There were only five days for the course, and a lot of lectures to cover the subject: first some basic aerosol dynamics and organic chemistry, then introduction to cloud dynamics, chemical analysis and measurement technique, finally followed by lectures colder day by day). Nice discussions attend as a participant. IAPS always on the properties of organic aerosols and usually followed – sometimes with a means lots of fun! So folks: stay tuned the presentation of a real cloud model. bottle or two of beer. on the IAPS channel! The participants even got an opportunity The August weather in Finland to make some runs on the model using can be unpredictable. This surely Antti Lauri, their own parameters. The course became clear to all the participants. University of Helsinki, Finland There is this farmer who is having problems with his chickens. All of a sudden, they are all getting very sick and he doesn’t know what is wrong with them. After trying all conventional means, he calls a biologist, a chemist, and a physicist to see if they can figure out what is wrong. So the biologist looks at the chickens, examines them a bit, and says he has no clue what could be wrong with them. Then the chemist takes some tests and makes some measurements, but he can’t come to any conclusions either. So the physicist tries. He stands there and looks at the chickens for a long time without touching them or anything. Then all of a sudden he starts scribbling away in a notebook. Finally, after several gruesome calculations, he exclaims, ‘I’ve got it! But it only works for spherical chickens in a vacuum... JIAPS 2004/3. 3 I A P S e v e n t s

the parties :) By quoting Prof. Darko Kapor in his invited lecture about “Physics and Physicists – How Do ICPS ‘04 They See Us?” on day-five. It’s admirable the fact that you can carefully Let me tell you one strange story! lectures by renowned invited scientists, listen and participate in scientific It all starts when I found one cool they gather in assemblies and define seminars in the morning even if the thing by wandering through the Internet, international objectives, they visit the programme presents parties all night. last May. On a website I read that each host country discovering the local Welcome Party, Serbian Party, year since 1985, more or less at the end culture, and they of course make National Party, Farewell Party: four of August, a group of approximately 300 friends with one another. nights arranged to encourage “the quite crazy young people studying After some thoughts (and after nerdy physicists” to get acquainted physics called IAPS, meets somewhere having passed all the possible deadlines with one another, discover how people in the world under the name of an event for participation confirmation) I decided have fun in Serbia, perform some called “International Conference of that I was crazy enough to take part in highly cultural national entertaining Physics Students” (ICPS). this strange meeting, so on the 11th of mini-show (see the picture), taste the Either by plane, car, train, boat August of this year I took the car and food and “maybe” the drink or whatever, some members of most decided to leave my beloved Mamma (...erhm...) habits of other countries. of the major physics students’ and Pasta for some days in order to see The hostel in which we were acco- associations plus interested individuals what really was this mysterious ICPS. mmodated was really comfortable and reach the designated place and spend a Now, the suggested plan was to well suited for partying: a quite big week or so there. write here a well-organised diary from “dance hall” on the first floor and a suggestive open-space in the middle where people could sit down and talk or sing till the morning. Oh, what’s more, the weather and temperature were perfect. I could spend some more tens of pages on the parties, but I guess some pictures (see the semi-official picture gallery at http://gallery. iaps.info/iaps.info/) will communicate the atmosphere of those nights much better that what my poor words could do. I know that I’m supposed to write something about my point of view on ICPS, so allow me to be partial for a couple of lines when I write a report about something. Just … Booming! Even if I didn’t drink (never... isn’t it, Hungarians?) in party-time I really enjoyed myself and made friends with many girls and guys (guess the proportion :)) with whom I’m still in contact, and now planning inter- national visits! Then let’s come to the official main part of ICPS: the scientific side. The plan presented more than 50 lectures prepared by students (ICPS participants) arranged in 3 days (more or less 25 min per lecture) and More than 20 posters were presented by students of all levels of study. approximately 20 posters presented in There were rumours (coming day-one to day-six, but as I’m Italian the afternoon of day-five. I tell you, it from some Finns I met on IRC chat) and chaotic by nature I thought I could was impressive. Almost all lectures were about what they do: they present present my view on ICPS in a more pretty crowded and there were often reports on the scientific researches they “Brownian” way. questions and interest by the listeners: are doing, they organise parties that A good story must have a I personally guess that some unofficial last all night, they listen and learn from striking beginning, so let us start with collaborations among students have

4 JIAPS 2004/3. I A P S e v e n t si been established. There were seminars researcher or student. We wouldn’t social attitude towards science in our taught by freshmen as well as researches study physics if we were not so hungry society. presented by Doctoral students, and and so curious as to feel at least Throwing away the “political” some of those lecturing were at ICPS stimulated and interested (if not stuff, we shall not forget that the thanks to a scholarship based on what enthralled) by learning new scientific organisers of ICPS flavoured the stay they were presenting. ICPS is ultimately things! Even if Albert Einstein told us with opportunities to enjoy the local a unique springboard for training in that “imagination is more important culture. From the Serbian National Party explaining science (in English) to a that knowledge” I guess that ICPS is a (day 2) to the awakening in the morning competent audience, a skill that we will good opportunity to acquire both in (day 4, see pictures), we could all have to develop. All kinds of subjects an overwhelming way. appreciate some local traditional music. were somehow reviewed, from But ICPS is also a meeting of all As usual in all ICPSs, we were led to the Nuclear Physics to Nanotechnology, the National Committee of IAPS, the exploration of the Capital and the passing through Solid-state physics, opportunity for giving reports of neighbourhood (monasteries …) for one Astrophysics, Quantum Foundations, activities throughout the year and day. My Italian comment about the local Geophysics … a great opportunity for defining new projects, strategies, and culture concerns the food. When you the new entrants to have a sneak at all responsibilities for the years to come. go to an Italian restaurant and ask for fields of studies. People attended the In one word: ICPS hosts each year some meat, you probably get 1 little two guest lectures with enthusiasm. IAPS’s General Meeting, the decision- steak. In Serbia you get 4 sausages, some “Physics of Today, is Engineering of making organism of the association. pig meat (2 steaks cooked in a different tomorrow, and Business of the day after For two long days (one extraordinary manner) plus some chicken for sure. tomorrow”, this was the opening by GM of 4 hours at day-one, and the More or less 1kg of meat, and all for a Prof. Tristan Hübsch (Howard AGM of 7 hours at day-four) rep- small price. Great country. University, USA) who gave an resentatives of local and national It’s time to conclude, and I’ve interesting introduction to Super- associations in the world sat in a room never been good on concluding.

IAPS workshop in the open air... strings, focusing on the physical point in order to define the short-term, Somebody said that “A conclusion is of view of the theory. Prof. Darko medium-term and long-term directions simply the place where someone got Kapor of Novi Sad Physics Department of the association. The new Executive tired of thinking” and this is probably was definitely less technical but really Committee was elected, future ICPS quite true for scientific works, but when fun, he suggested some actions that plans were approved, fresh ideas about we write a report things are different. society could take in order to improve the WYP were collected. I personally What I learnt is that ICPS is physics education and the not-so- participated actively, so actively that I IAPS’s award for itself, it has always appealing figure of the scientist, which decided to become half-Hungarian (I been the place in which the association is one of the main reasons for the joined Mafihe, the Hungarian physics refinds its identity: a group of young “declining student numbers” alarm association) and to assume the respon- motivated people that love life and launched by UNESCO with the sibility for the presidency for next year. science, that are ready to struggle in order declaration of the “World Year of I felt really charged up by meeting so to make extraordinary their and other Physics” (WYP 2005). many students like me that want to work students’ lives. I really think that ICPS is a very in order to multiply the opportunities useful experience for every young for young scientists and to improve the Davide Venturelli, Italy

JIAPS 2004/3. 5 W o r l d e v e n t s

The chairperson opened the discussion with a short speech and each laureate gave a speech of a couple of minutes before the Nobel meeting in Lindau discussion. This was followed by three specialised lectures, and after lunch we were given an opportunity I attended the conference of The conference was in a buil- to visit the island in groups, guided physics students and Nobel Prize ding called Inselhalle. I didn’t have either in German or in English. We winners in physics in Lindau, any problems in finding the place but walked some narrow, picturesque Germany, in June-July 2004. I was I didn’t know what I was supposed alleys, heard the main points of the given the opportunity because I to do in there. I chose the time-hono- history of Lindau and saw the worked the summer in the head- ured strategy of doing what every- essential sights of the town. quarters of the European Physical body else did. While queuing to get In the afternoon the scientific Society (EPS). I didn’t really know an information folder, I met a girl programme continued with discus- what was lying ahead when I left from Sweden, originally from Thai- sion between the students and the Mulhouse, which was my home- land, and it happened that I spent a laureates who had given lectures that town in the summer. I knew that I lot of time with her during the week. morning. The space was divided into would attend a conference for The opening ceremony was three smaller ones with chairs in them, physics students and young re- nice, though a bit dry, as they tend and only students and young searchers and that it had something to be. We heard music and several researchers were admitted. The to do with the Nobel Prize, but that speeches during which I found out young asked questions and the was it. the relation between the conference laureates tried to answer, even though The train trip took four hours. and the Nobel Prize: there were 18 they didn’t always know the answer. I left early - early for me, I mean - on laureates, 16 of whom would give On Monday evening there was a sunny Sunday morning. The railway a lecture. The audience of around a “social get-together” in the went first along the Rhein and then 700 people was mainly students Inselhalle, including dinner and near Lake Constance, with snow- (more than 500), but there were dancing. I arrived before the doors topped mountains on the other side also some teachers (university were opened and met some other (beautiful!), and since I had never professors) and relatively many participants. Rafael was an energetic seen any of them, I really enjoyed my representatives of the media. German who started to talk to me and trip. I left the train station by Monday morning started with soon we were accompanied by Peter following a relatively narrow street a round-table discussion about from Switzerland. Inside the with beautiful old houses on both astrophysics. Four of the laureates Inselhalle we first took some food and sides. I had a map of the island were sitting behind two tables and then entered the conference hall to Lindau and the address of the house between them, behind another table, search for seats that were now around in which I would be staying, and I there was a chairperson from the tables. In the middle of each table was found the place in no time. Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. a sign with the names of one of the laureates and his wife. Rafael was keen to sit at the table of Arno Penzias and I followed him while Peter went to another table. We met a professor from Dusseldorf and an American who studied interstellar matter, if I remember correctly. Somebody asked Mr. Penzias about the discovery of the background radiation, for which he had been awarded the prize together with Robert Wilson, and he told us the real story about pigeons and everything. I have to admit that I didn’t quite follow, but the drawing about a pigeon warming its feet inside the antenna thing was cute. When almost everybody had finished dinner, the music started and we were invited to form two lines, one for men and the other for “I think you should be more explicit here step two!” 6 JIAPS 2004/3. W o r l d e v e n t s women. I wasn’t interested in and applied physics. They all seemed afternoon on the island and saw dancing so I continued my dis- to agree that there are many areas butterflies and lots of flowers, and cussion with Rafael and Mrs. of physics that can’t be put in just a peacock in a tree. He kindly flew Penzias. Soon we went out onto one of the categories and that to us after we had waited for (quite) some kind of a patio to admire the drawing a definite line isn’t possible. a while. sunset and to have some fresh air. One of the last two lectures On the boat back to Lindau I The weather was warm and after was “Supertheories” by Gerardus met some interesting people. (How having apparently finished another t’Hooft. I hadn’t studied the subject come it always happens in the last story, Mr. Penzias joined us. I left but for me it was the most inte- hour?) We first landed near the hotel at about ten o’clock and since the resting of the whole conference. I of the laureates and gave them a final professor from Dusseldorf was also felt very disappointed when I heard big hand. Then the boat continued leaving, he kindly walked me to Mrs. that he had to leave before the to Lindau island and the students who Fink’s house. afternoon session, and again more hadn’t already left by bus on the island The scientific programme than pleased when we were told he got off and said final goodbyes to one continued on Tuesday morning with had delayed his departure by a other. I left the town next morning two sets of three lectures, two of couple of hours. The discussion was and felt surprisingly lonely with all the which were more accessible than shorter than the others but fruitful, new friends gone. Monday’s, so I benefited more from and it had such a great impact on On the whole, I really enjoyed the second morning than the first. me that it will probably affect my the conference and I’m grateful for In the afternoon I attended the future choice of my major subject. being given such an opportunity. It discussion with Arno Penzias. The Friday was dedicated to a visit came a bit early for me since I hadn’t title of his lecture had been “A to the Isle of Mainau at the other chosen my major subject yet, but classical View of Cosmology” and end of Lake Constance. It was thanks to that I got some ideas for since I had read a couple of books raining heavily during the boat trip the future. Furthermore, it was about the history of cosmology, the but the rain ceased soon after we several months since my physics subject seemed very attractive. I had got off the boat. Just before courses in the university had ended, didn’t ask any questions myself but lunchtime Countess Sonia Berna- so I had started to be thirsty for the others didn’t hesitate and we had dotte, Professor Riccardo Giacconi information. The conference gave a very good afternoon session. and one of the students gave final me a lot of new energy and I hope On Thursday morning there speeches – Mr. Giacconi underlined it will do the same for very many was another round table discussion. that he hadn’t volunteered – and students in the coming years. Four of the laureates discussed the after that the conference was distinction between fundamental officially over. We spent the Eeva Metsälä, Finland

Cosmology marches on! JIAPS 2004/3. 7 W o r l d e v e n t s

European Science week - trial 1

The first Euro Science Open Forum (ESOF) was organised new ideas for the outreach of in Stockholm, Sweden on August 25-29 2004. The original physics. idea was to offer a European counterbalance to AAAS When I entered the main hall (American Association for the Advancement of Science) of Stockholm City Congress Cent- Science Week. This aim proved somewhat elusive but re to attend the opening plenary of nevertheless, ESOF offered some four days of interesting debate ESOF I have to admit I was a bit on present-day and future science and its role in society. surprised. I had thought I would My original reason for a hard time finding a good reason meet thousands of people from participating in the whole event to explain to my boss that I should students to senior citizens, all was an invitation by the World really take some more days of enthused by science, mostly from Academy of Young Scientists vacation from my job as Finnish Nordic countries. What I met was (WAYS) to attend their workshops. World Year of Physics coordinator a more than half empty hall full of I checked the programme more and go to Stockholm. The versatile formally dressed, English speaking, closely, and found it interesting Science in the City programme more or less important looking enough to seriously consider considerably helped in this purpose people and felt myself, on average, participation. After that I had quite and I was ordered to gain lots of some 25 years too young. I was told there were approximately 1500 participants, a fifth of whom were reporters.

European Top Science?

The premiss of ESOF somehow seemed very much unlike its American exemplar. Though I have never attended the AAAS Science Week, the one thing I know of it is that some hot results are usually published during the week. ESOF, on the contrary, seemed to try to balance between cutting edge results and outreach of science, without dazzling results in either. That I did not hear any top results does not mean there were none, as there were up to twelve parallel sessions to choose between. Usually I would have wanted to be in at least two places at the same time. For a reason, unknown to even myself, I seemed to find my way mainly to sessions discussing outreach of science and science policies or ethics in addition to calling in to sessions from Science for Kids to European Research at the Cutting Edge and everything in between.

8 JIAPS 2004/3. W o r l d e v e n t s

Perhaps due to the influence consisting of such things as science made the audience think after the of the main organiser, most of the cafés, small science fairs and “soup waves of laughter. What do you top scientific sessions discussed theatre” performances in the very think of the man who shared his Ig- neuroscience, health and heart of the city. The science cafés Nobel with his Patent Office for environment, none of which I were a great success, pulling closer patenting the wheel? found interesting enough to attend. to 200 people - more than could fit I did listen to a couple of in the room - to listen to e.g. a nanotechnology sessions, but the lecture on strings, black holes and Second trial best offerings seemed to be that the creation of the universe. For a nanotech should learn from the physics student it was rather This first ESOF, “the first pan- mistakes of biotech and avoid a re- amusing to see how these topics European Scientific Meeting ever”, run of “killer tomatoes with genes” could be made somewhat perhaps did not succeed as well as it (*). The power of the media over understandable to the general could have. The first time is always the general public in scientific public, even as concepts if nothing the most difficult; in two years the issues was discussed in these else, by a professor of theoretical forum will be organised in Munich, sessions as well as many others. physics. Germany, and I hope the organisers The task of a science journalist is of ESOF2006 learn something from certainly not an easy one. the Stockholm event. Scientertainment Nevertheless, in my opinion ESOF2004 was certainly worth Diversity of events The social programme for participating in; there is so much such a huge number of participants more to tell than could reasonably Alongside the scientific was mainly taken care of by be fitted into this article. I hope to sessions there were also various arranging scientific entertainment. be able to participate in the next one kinds of other attractions in ESOF. Each evening there was an as well, and not to feel conspicuously Among them was, for example, a interactive, informal happening younger than the other participants. career programme, arranged jointly called the X-Change, arranged Science needs the young generation, with the Marie Curie Fellowship according to a convention approved our opinions and views. Why were Association (MCFA) and in British Science week. A BBC we not thought to need or be Naturejobs. The career seminars science reporter, Quentin Cooper, interested enough in the science? handled topics such as researcher hosted a panel assembling some of These are questions I hope someone mobility and its obstacles inside as the most interesting speakers of the will find an answer to, preferably by well as out of Europe, mixing day to discuss the hottest topics. July 2006. family and scientific careers and Though gathering only a handful of (*) More than one speaker young scientists’ problems. audience - in comparison to the total referred to an interview study An exhibition of numerous number of participants - I consider concerning genetic manipulation in research institutes, publishers, the X-Change to be one of the most the UK where some 50% of people companies employing scientists and successful events of ESOF. believed that normal tomatoes do benefactors of science was also Another entertaining event, not have genes. present at the conference centre. I though plagiarised from AAAS Milla Karvonen learned many new possibilities for Science Week, was certainly the late future employment and interesting night lecture by Marc Abrahams, References: places to visit as well as ways and probably best known as the father Euro Science Open Forum: sources of fund raising. of the Ig-Nobels. The not-so-short http://www.esof2004.org/ One of the main themes of presentation of Ig-Nobel-prize http://www.esof2006.org/ ESOF was supposed to be the winning research and other topics Euroscience, the organisation: “Science in the City” programme, on improbable research certainly http://www.euroscience.org/

JIAPS 2004/3. 9 I C P S l e c t u r e s e s s i o n

matched bases, which is known only to the two of them and can be used as a cryptographic key. Eve, an eavesdropper The mean king problem jealous about the relationship between Alice and Bob, may intercept a photon, make one of two measurements as well, Based on Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 1385, and send another photon in a registered state to Bob. But as she has no idea which measurement should be made, in half of L. Vaidman, Y. Aharanov. the cases her action not only gives her no information about the cryptographic key, The story being described in this Keeping in mind the profession of Alice but also introduces some error in the data article happened not many years ago. It and the story of Schrödinger’s cat, he possessed by Bob with respect to Alice’s involved love, hate, adventures, life hazards, “offered” her a game. Every morning she data. She can also mount a more sop- and foundations of quantum mechanics. would enter a wonderful quantum histicated attack by partially entangling Alice was an experimental physicist. laboratory, in which she could do every the photon to her particle, but then she She had a collaborator and lover, Bob, action. She would leave it for lunch, and also introduces some error. For security whom she had met on ICPS. They used in that time, the king’s people would do reasons, Alice and Bob sacrifice and pub- to do experiments together, but then one one of three measurements (represented licly compare a part of their secret key. If of them was sent far far away from the by Pauli matrices , , or )on a qubit the error rate is too high, secure commu- other. They both remembered well their (a two-level quantum system). The mea- nication is impossible. experiments, for example those made on surements can give “+1” or “–1” as a In general, a full set of MUBs in a a poor Schrödinger’s cat. The animal was result and have the following eigenbases: given Hilbert (quantum state) space locked in a box with a decaying atom, a allows us a conve- detector, and a portion of a poison. As nient quantum to- long as the box was locked, the whole mography, an act of system was in a coherent superposition a transition between of a state in which the cat is alive and the physical source and atom is undecayed, with that of the dead a density matrix cat and the decayed atom: written on a piece of Afternoons she would come back paper. If the dimension of the Hilbert to the laboratory and continue her space is d, a density matrix is defined by experiments. During supper, the king d2-1 real parameters. Statistics in every would announce which measurement had MUB would give us d-1 parameters, so This cruel experiment demonstrates been done a few hours earlier by his people. we expect to have d+1 MUBs. two main principles of quantum As a response, he would like to hear the Unfortunately, this is only a dream, mechanics. The first one says that, unlike measurement result. If Alice gives a wrong which, for now, cannot be fulfilled for in classical mechanics, the system can be answer, she will be beheaded immediately. composite numbers not being powers of in a superposition of two distinguishable The important thing about these primes. For those dimensionalities, states. The second brings us to the mystery bases is that they are complementary, or scientists have no idea how to generate a of entanglement, which allows sub- in other words, mutually unbiased full set of MUBs. The good news is that systems to be in undefined (mixed) states, (MUBs). Their vectors satisfy the a discrete Fourier transform always leads in spite of our maximal knowledge about following relations: us to a pair of MUBs. Switching to the whole system, which is in a pure state. ordinary vector notation for a moment, Naturally, when the box is opened, the two bases are: they find the cat dead or alive, so the atom did or did not decay, one of the two! The expression means that if the Also the third rule of the quantum world system is in one of the states from one plays a role in our story: during a basis, we have equal probabilities to detect where measurement a state is being projected it in all states from other bases. onto an eigenspace corresponding to the One of the interesting applications of yielded result. For example, assuming such bases is a quantum cryptographic are j-th vectors of the bases and k denotes optimistically that the creature survived protocol of Bennett and Brassard from 1984 their k-th component. its stay in the box, the state after the (BB84)(1). In one of its versions, Alice sends Actually, Alice’s first idea was to opening was to Bob a photon in one of the states leave her qubit in an eigenstate of and measure when she came back after the royal measurement. Let us see how this One fateful day, Alice got a He is allowed to make a randomly system worked. On Monday she was asked scholarship in the institute of Bob, and chosen or measurement on it. The about a measurement, which was easy she took a ship to get there. But while she emission is repeated a number of times. due to her preparation. A question was crossing an ocean, a great storm came. After the whole series, they publicly about on Tuesday was also simple, The ship sank, and Alice got marooned discuss their choices of bases. They discard because she had repeated that measu- on a remote island. As she took a breather experiment runs in which they have rement when she entered the laboratory. on the beach, people of a king of this chosen mismatching bases, and they are If the king had only two bases to choose island, a great cat lover, caught her. left with the sign sequence from cases of from, Alice would have no stress to face

10 JIAPS 2004/3. I C P S l e c t u r e s e s s i o n him. But two is not enough for the mean lab there is a source of entangled pairs, (a pair of upper or lower signs is always king. On Wednesday, he was curious and both of them get one half of this pair taken). At first, two-particle entanglement about . Since neither her preparation exactly at the same moment. If Alice wants does not seem to be helpful. We end up nor her measurement referred to the to send a one bit message to Bob she with a product of two pure states, but respective basis, she could only trust her measures on her particle in one or the other initially we had no knowledge about a luck. Thus every evening, she would have complementary basis and gets a certain, single qubit - it was in a maximally mixed a probability equal to 1/6 that she would but irrelevant result. Now Bob could state. But a basis of two-qubit states: give a wrong answer. Acting with one make as many copies of a state of his particle qubit only is not enough to win the game. as he liked and proceed with a state She was extremely worried that tomography so that he could say in which evening, looking for a new, more efficient, basis Alice had measured. However, this or even, if possible, perfect solution of is impossible and quantum mechanics the problem. Looking through the remains in agreement with Einstein’s achievements of modern quantum general relativity theory. mechanics, she thought of saving herself But some imperfect cloning with cloning. schemes are possible(3). Alice again sets In biology, by cloning we mean a her qubit in, say, a -eigenstate. But procedure of creating a living creature, when she’s back she does imperfect cloning which is an exact genetic copy of another and measures on one of the clones and can be found and used to construct being. Although some differences on the other. She can decide to use an observable between copies have been found, both the universal cloning machine, given by a biological clones are genetically identical. transformation: In quantum mechanics, things are radically different. W. Wootters and W. One can check easily, that it allows Zurek(2) have proved that quantum distinguishing between two states within information could not be cloned with an every pair. Therefore Alice gives the answer arbitrarily low error rate. The proof goes to the king’s question according to the as follows: our cloning would refer to which gives the error rate 1/6, or since in table below. three quantum systems: (1) the system in the afternoons the state has a form Naturally, a game with an ad hoc a state to be copied, (2) another system known result is not exciting, because it of equal dimension that will be a copy, stops being a game. After a month of and (M) the machine. If we take the initial she can use the optimal equatorial cloning hearing correct answers, the bored king state of the machine as and we clone machine(4): decided to release Alice. She could finally two arbitrary states reach Bob and they lived happily for some years afterwards. we can write the act as: Marcin Wiesniak [email protected]

which would introduce an error in Any questions related to this problem will be gladly answered if sent to Since cloning is a quantum state the author. manipulation, not a measurement, it must be unitary and conserve scalar product. (1) C. H. Bennett and G. Brassard, cases. Scalar products of left sides and of right in Proceedings of IEEE International Back-of-an-envelope calculations sides must be equal: Conference on Computers, Systems, and show that by cloning her qubit Alice raises Signal Processing.Bangalore, India, 1984 her chance to give a correct answer to 89% (IEEE, New York,1984),. and 90%, respectively. But changing the mean lifetime of a human from 6 to 9 or (2) W. K. Wootters and W. H. 10 days is not really impressive! Even if we make an assumption Zurek, Nature 299299, 802 (1982). She therefore thought about that entanglement. If she offered the first qubit (3) V. Buzek and M.Hillary, Phys. from a maximally entangled state Rev. A. 54, 1844 (1996). the last equality can be satisfied only if (4) C.A. Fuchs et al., Phys. Rev. A5656, 1163 (1997); R.B. Griffiths and as the one to be measured, the state of the C.S. Niu, Phys. Rev. A 5656, 1173 or whole would collapse to (1997); D. Bruss et al., Phys. Rev. A6262012302 (2000).

Therefore, these states cannot be or arbitrary. An ideal quantum cloning would allow instant communication. Imagine that midway between Alice’s and Bob’s

JIAPS 2004/3. 11 I A P S n e w s

Click here:

www.iaps.info

As another ICPS has entered history as a ICPS 2005 - When & Where roaring success, it is necessary to thank the organisers of the ICPS 2004 in Novi Sad, Next year’s conference will be held in Serbia and Montenegro one more time. We Coimbra, Portugal. There are lots of details all had a good time! For those of you still to be explored already, just go to feeling a certain emptiness and longing in your http://octopus.fis.uc.pt/~physis/ hearts; look at the pictures and start prepa- icps2005/icps2005/. ring for next year! A temporary picture gallery from this year’s conference can be found at this address: http://gallery.iaps.info/

CERN-trip ’05

Have you never been in the world’s largest particle physics laboratory? Or you have, but you want to go back once again? Now you have the chance! Hungary is organising the second international CERN-trip! As last year we will also visit the ESRF in Grenoble. For more information please contact to Balázs Karcsai at [email protected]@mafihe.hu! The number of the participants is limited so be quick!

IAPS World Year of Physics T-Shirt Design Competition You might have heard that physics celebrates the 100 year anniversary of the publication of Einstein’s three famous papers in 2005. Thus it was decided that 2005 is the World Year of Physics. The goal of the World Year of Physics is to raise the profile of physics and to reach as many people as possible. IAPS thought that a t-shirt worn by physics students might get physics noticed in a lot of places. But what should be on the t-shirt? We are sure that you can come up with a great idea. That’s why we proudly announce the 1st IAPS T-Shirt Designing Competition - and of course there’s a prize you can win: a conference fee for ICPS 20052005! The rules: Your design should be for one side of a t-shirt. The design has to include something that is somehow connected with physics. How you get physics in your design is left to your creativity, but you should remember that the purpose of the t-shirt is to be eye-catching and to make the public aware of physics. If you use images, please respect copyrights and make sure that you and IAPS are allowed to use the image. Also, please, note that usually it’s easier to print a design that has a limited number of colours. Submissions: send your design in a common graphics format (e.g. JPEG, PNG, ...) to iaps@ iaps.infoiaps.info. Deadline: December 1st, 2004

12 JIAPS 2004/3. O v e r v i e w o n e d u c a t i o n

Education in Hungary

Part 1

In the last fifteen years, Hun- Of course, it could have ended garian education has been in the midst much better than it did: universities did of continual change. The main prob- not change the structure of their lem is that most institutions could not education, just let in more students - react as fast as was required - that’s many of them not capable of meeting why some say that the whole sector is the standards. It meant that instead of in crisis. From my point of view, they five years, many students spent six, are quite right. eight or even more years in the Fifteen years ago, very few people university. The lessons became much were allowed into universities - most more crowded and professors had failed the entrance exams, only the best much less time for individual tutoring. unchanged standards. The instititutions were able to pass them (and for several However, the foundation of Ph.D. were underfinanced - the government decades, the exams were under strong schools in major universities allowed expected them to increase their income political influnce). This resulted in Hungarian research education to faster than they actually could. higher education becoming a kind of preserve its internationally recognised And in the midst of this situation elite education: the professors were able status to some extent - it took over the came Hungary’s joining the Bologna to spend a lot of time with each elite status of universities. Process. The cyclical educational struc- individual student, so the standards The main problem with Hun- ture is unfamilar to Hungarian higher became really high. Colleges (in Hun- garian higher education is its struc- education: university and college edu- gary, these institutions provide lighter ture. Since universities were very cation are standing alone and are not and much more vocational education) difficult to get in for a very long time, easy to split up into Bachelor and Mas- were much easier to get in. People who its prestige is very high, even if ter phases: moreover this change is far graduated from here usually became graduating from here doesn’t mean too fast for this rigid system. Since it is teachers in elementary schools or finding a job promptly after leaving still unavoidable and essential for employees in governmental and private university. Several areas became Hungarian higher education to stay organisations, while students gradu- crowded with young people with a compatible with Europe, it will require ating from universities were able to university diploma - which in a lot of an extraordinary endeavour from the teach in high schools or could find a cases meant too high standards and institutions. The financing structure job in the academic area. Finding a job too little practical experience. has also to be reformed - by the was not a problem for those who could Conversely, there are simply too few government. finish their studies in higher education people in “higher educational The reforms are united into one because they were quite few. vocational training” (it’s a special and large, state project called Hungarian However, about fifteen years ago relatively new form of higher Universitas Project (HUP) - and it also the government realised that new times education concentrating strongly on involves the institutional reform of were coming: many more people were the practical side of a profession, still universites and colleges. Currently, the needed to join higher education. The on a higher educational level). It is academic staff decide on strategic, higher educational institutes being fairly much cheaper than university financial and educational matters - independent, the state could influence education and provides a lot of according to HUP only the latter would this matter only indirectly. The finance practical knowlege which would be stay with them; the first two would pass of universites and colleges became welcomed on the Hungarian labour into the hands of external experts (half based on the number of students market. of them appointed by the government, learning there; and since the financial One of the reasons the higher half of them by the university). This status of the instutitions became more educational area was not able to would result in a more flexible and more dire along with the state of respond quickly enough to the chal- decision-making structure according to the whole country (and it was much lenges is that the whole system is really the govenment. Now, roughly half a more easy to take away money from rigid. Professors teaching at most year before its actual start, the mere higher education than from anything fifteen students at once found raising of the idea resulted in a huge else, they found themselves practically themselves forced to teach forty or uproar amongst the academic staff. forced to allow in most students). sixty, most of them unable to meet the Márk Balás, Hungary

JIAPS 2004/3. 13 O v e r v i e w o n e d u c a t i o n

The Council for Undergraduate Research (or TDK Council) sup- ports students’ extracurricular re- Education in Hungary search activities by giving a frame- work to voluntary student-teacher partnerships established spontane- ously for specific research projects. Part 2 The main event of the TDK is the biannual National TDK Confe- rence which is organised in several There are four places in Hun- and the money stays in the pos- Sections at various institutes of gary where physicists are educated: session of the university even if the higher education (i.e. universities Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE), person is fired. and colleges). The annual forums Technical University of Budapest, The five-year-long education of the TDK are the so-called University of Szeged and Uni- is made up of two parts. During House-Conferences which are also versity of Debrecen. Altogether at the first three years you can acquire organised at the levels of sections the four universities, in 2004, three the basic mathematical and physical and subsections. The winners of hundred and sixty-one students knowledge which is essential for such conferences are awarded by applied. Out of this number one further studies and research. The the Dean of the Faculty on the hundred and sixty people regis- most difficult year is the third one, Eotvos Memorial Day held on or tered for ELTE, so we can say that and people say that after finishing around May the 11th, every year. our university takes most of the it, nobody can be deprived of his Some of the best lectures are also applicants. Unfortunately we have or her university degree. In the repeated there in front of a wider negative experience with the sta- fourth year you have to choose two audience. tistics because although more than special fields. There are many It is not really common for 160 people start university at the possibilities including astrophysics, foreign students to come to Hun- first grade only fifteen percent are materials science, molecular gary and study here because the able to get a degree at the end after physics, nuclear physics, particle university does not have too many the five years. You can ask, then, physics, solid state physics and lessons in English for them. why do these universities give pla- statistical physics. Fifth-graders However, it happens sometimes ces to so many students? The reason have to choose between the two because some of the lectures are is that they get a relatively high fields and have to continue their easy to follow without proper amount of money for each indi- studies at only one of them. language skills, due to their being vidual. They get this money in one There is also the possibility full of deductions. sum that is enough for the five-year of doing Undergraduate Research We usually recommend Ph.D education of the particular student (TDK) or Scientific Study Circle. courses for foreigners instead. Many professors write out such programmes in different areas like ‘Material Science and Solid State Physics’, ‘Particle Physics and Astronomy’ or ‘Statistical Physics, Biological Physics and Physics of Quantum Systems’. The university also has several departments. These include the Departments of General Physics, Solid State Physics, Atomic Physics, Theoretical Phy- sics, Biological Physics, Physics of Complex Systems, and Astronomy. Our beloved association, the Hungarian Association of Physics Students (HAPS, Mafihe) was established in 1988. Mafihe is a non-political organisation that is meant to help maintain the level of physicist education and inter- national connections. Accordingly,

If you want to know what’s happening in this picture, you should read the article!

14 JIAPS 2004/3. O v e r v i e w o n e d u c a t i o n members of Mafihe are mainly Committee. Its main task is to look the Balaton. Another such com- from the faculty of physicists, after the day-to-day running of the petition is the FIVE, the Compe- physics teachers, astronomers etc. association. tition of Physics, which is held in We organise a lot of interesting Let’s take a look at our prog- Szeged. programmes, like competitions, rammes! One of the theoretical excursions etc., and we can provide Our greatest event is the trip competitions that is worth menti- remarkable subsidies for parti- to CERN. This year for the first oning is the Ortvay Problem- cipants. Mafihe is an association of time we were able to organise an Solving contest. It is organised public utility since 1998. Our most international excursion. Apart from internationally, therefore the important effort is to make the the Hungarians there were Finnish, solutions and the tasks that should students’ five, six or even seven Polish and Austrian people and we be solved are sent by mail. It is for years (this is the function of the also met students from Geneva. We individual competitors. failed exams...) unforgettable. visited the ESRF as well. Alto- The highlight of the year in Mafihe is a national gether we can say that we had a the life of Mafihe is the famous (or committee with four local com- really good time during this trip. infamous?) freshmen’s camp that is mittees located in Debrecen, Sze- We organised a cultural held in the last week of August. ged and two in Budapest. These are exchange programme in the During this week we conquer the the Local Committee of ELTE and Netherlands, which gave some of high and slopy mountains of Hun- the Local Committee of Physics- us the opportunity to visit Amster- gary while having fun, discovering Engineers, and you can only apply dam and Eindhoven, and we could new places and building new for membership if you have your host Dutch students in Budapest. connections with future group- studies in physics or in other We shared each others flats, food mates at university. This camp is related subjects. (and women as well :)) for five totally different from the camps of The main forum of Mafihe is wonderful days. We are planning the university’s other departments the General Meeting. The Cons- to make other such programmes as we are sleeping in tents and titution can only be changed there, and we really hope that others might having different villages’ fields as and it makes decisions about per- feel willing to join us in organising sleeping-places every night. We sonal questions of the board and them. have a tradition that makes the life the Control Committee. The Con- The association has expe- of the camp much more funny trol Committee supervises the work rimental as well as theoretical every day. This tradition is the of the Management and the local competitions. The most important system of the ‘teasing tickets’. If committees. Each local committee of the experimental ones is the you are given such a ticket, that has one seat on the National NYIFFF (Open-air Funny Exer- means that the previous owner of Committee. General Meetings take cises for Physics Students). Within it can make you do anything that place twice a year, and the National this competition the participants is still moral and yet not serious Committee every second month. have to solve interesting and funny and has some connection with the We have another decision-making physics-related exercises on the drawing of the ticket. For example: organisation which is the Central beach of Hungary’s greatest lake, if you have a ‘Romeo ticket’ and you give it to a boy, you can ask him for instance to climb up a tree and sing love songs to one or even more girls. Other tickets are related to wood, tents, or food, etc., giving a wide range of cre- ative possibilities for the parti- cipants. You can also take part in the Olympics of Fuzer (a little village in Hungary) where the main sports event is cramming into a hollow tree. This year the world record was broken: five people could manage to get inside the trunk!

Zsuzsi Kordai, András Zsom, Hungary

Netherland-Hungary cultural exchange

JIAPS 2004/3. 15 Tutorial

zone with a small electric capacity so that the electrons can tunnel one at a time. In fact if the zone contains Introduction to Single- one electron, the electrostatic repulsion will be such as to prevent a second electron from “jumping”. The picture shows a basic device: Electron-Tunneling devices the single electron box. The box can be represented by a metallic grane (island) weakly coupled with two metallic leads. The tunnel barriers “nanodevices” on the solid state Introduction can be modelled like a two armors Introduction domain seem to exploit the known classical capacitor, so that a charge effect of “single electron tunnelling”, Following the “international in the box will increment the energy as gaining control of a single charge roadmap for semiconductors” of the system by e2/2C. If the can lead to fast manipulation of electronics will continue the capacitance is small, this energy is charge occupation states (the miniaturisation trend for at least 15 significant and the process becomes tunnelling time would theoretically years, in order to achieve higher and energetically favourable only if the allow us to build processors that higher clock frequencies. This potential difference applied is could reach hundreds of Teraherz implies that the conduction channel sufficient. In practical terms, when of clock speed) and to a very small length of conventional transistors the potential difference polarises the dissipation of energy (a theoretical will reach the de Broglie electron armor plates with a charge limit of 10-8 W for a typical device). wavelength within the next 5-6 difference Q of less than e/2 (it is years; so engineers will need to deal Single electron possible as it is a field effect!) the much more with quantum tunnelling is forbidden as it would mechanics in the near future than tunneling increase the energy of the system. If they did in the past. The challenge it is sufficient to give Q=e/2 there for miniaturisation could be won by But how can we achieve is degeneration of the two states adopting a new paradigm of control of single electrons? By (electron to the right, electron to the computation, or a completely new exploiting a mesoscopic effect left) and so tunnelling is triggered electronic architecture for classical known as “Coulomb Blockade”. The and the situation is returned to the computing. Most of the innovative idea is to confine the electron in a same as before the tunnelling!

16 JIAPS 2004/3. Tutorial

make the island. The discrete energy implies that either we make the island Single electron spectrum of semiconductors is an incredibly small (so that we have a additional feature that must be taken small C) or we work under the 1 kel- transistor into account when we want to vin limit. Current technology doesn’t understand the flow of electrons (the allow capacities smaller that 10-15 F A normal field-effect transistor available energy states must deal with but room-temperature SET could (FET) is a very simple device, the spectrum and the coulomb possibly be achieved by integrating conceptually. It exploits a p-n junction blockade, the resulting discrete steps them into a single molecule. Some and a gate electrode in order to stop of conductance represent the so-called work has successfully been done in that or trigger the flow of electrons. What’s “coulomb stairs”). direction. more it can act as an amplifier: the current scales linearly with the gate Some application Bibliography voltage under certain limits (saturation). and details Herman Grabert, Michel H. The corresponding single- Devoret, Single Charge Tunneling. electron device is the Single-Electron- Controlling single electrons is Coulomb Blockade Phenomena in Transistor (SET). A SET is basically essential for building several Nanostructures, NATO ASI Series B, an electron-box with an entrance and elementary devices (single electron Vol. 294 an exit, the incoming electron can be trap, single electron pump, single Lydia L. Sohn, Leo P. discharged by making it tunnel into a electron memory) for the future Single- Kouwenhoven, Gerd Schon - second metallic conductor. We can Electron Logic that promises to replace Mesoscopic Electron Transport - thus control the tunnelling rate by the current electronics. Single-Electron NATO ASI Series E, Vol. 345 applying a tension between the box transistors are very sensitive to nearby D. K. Ferry, S.M. Goodnick, and the leads. In fact, the energy charges and so could be used as very Transport in Nanostructures - Camb- window determined by the precise electrometers. They could find ridge University Press electrochemical potential of the two striking applications in solid-state S.M. Reimann and M. leads would allow the occupation of a quantum computing as well. Mannien, Electronic structure of certain known number of charge states Unfortunately if we want to make all quantum dots - Reviews of modern in the box. these simple devices work we need to physics, volume 74, october 2002 In the picture there is a typical create very cold environments as the K. Likharev, Electronics Below implementation of a SET that uses a energy associated with the charge 10nm (2004) semiconductor substrate polarised by tunnelling (e2/2C) must be greater than some confining electrodes in order to the thermal fluctuations kT. This Davide Venturelli

JIAPS 2004/3. 17 M e m b e r s s e c t i o n

Physics in an uncelebrated society

Letter

As the year 2005 approaches, understanding of mathematics even because of the opportunity to put the Physics community hopes to though it is a core subject, while a theory into practice. Hardly does make a dynamic impact on the disappointing 17% of school pupils a minute pass without a new public as it celebrates the World have a basic understanding of Phy- discovery in Physics. The human Year of Physics. sics. The factors responsible for the race will soon venture into the new The Physical sciences are a aforementioned include the mode age of nanotechnology, continuing fundamental part of the science of teaching the subjects, ambi- the wonder of science. The way we world, yet little does society guity, diversified interest, inade- look at the world continues to appreciate the contribution of quate facilities, and the state of change because of what we con- Physics, despite its tremendous society. tinue to discover. John Von Neu- contribution to society. Physics is In this part of the world, mann once said “man wants to a significant backbone to other scientists are not reckoned with, let know; when he ceases to do so, he fields like medicine, economy, in- alone Physicists. There is a feeling is no longer man”. There is no dustrial sector, biology, chemistry, of inferiority on the part of Physics secret in knowledge, it involves engineering, information and com- students. There is also an impres- ideas and creativity. The recog- munications technologies etc. For sion that Physics is a difficult sub- nition of the risks to humanity example, if Physicists like Zernike, ject to pass. Research has shown brings about development to avert Ruska and Nomarski had not de- that fifteen out of fifty pupils study those risks. veloped and invented various more sciences in high school while 2% Africa should see the year precise microscopes, what would of science pupils intentionally 2005 as a unique opportunity to- Microbiologists work with? Also, apply to study Physics in tertiary wards making the public aware of recent developments in Magnetic institutions. This cuts across the importance of Physics and also Resonance Imaging (MRI) have universities, colleges of education the unique opportunity to influence made a significant contribution to and polytechnics. The orientation the future of Physics by stimulating the field of medicine. of pupils is to become an Engi- young children’s interest towards In our own part of the world, neer, a Doctor, Computer Analyst, studying the subject, so that there however, Physics is rarely embra- an Accountant, a Banker or Busi- will be a purposeful dedicated ced. The genesis of this problem ness professional; this is because progeny of Physics. is the decreasing interest of young- it is their belief that it is only this The present state of Physics sters in the subject, even though class of people that are recognised could be addressed by: provision Physics is a prerequisite for most in society. A pupil might even be of facilities, simplifying the course science studies, including natural calling himself an Engineer right modules, promoting researches, sciences, computing, medicine and from primary school. Applicants funding, aid and grants availability, health, earth sciences etc. would rather choose to study these improved state policies towards It is shown that 15% of so-called famous courses than Physics, and integration of Physics primary school pupils have a studying Physics; most applicants into decision making that affects passion for calculations, while the take Physics as the last resort when Physics. remaining percentages only study no place of study is available in the I have a vision of a greater to pass. Pupils aged one to seven famous courses. nation, a viable Physics commu- years need amusing stories to en- The nonchalant attitude of the nity, with a professional Physics gage their minds with counting or authorities has made things worse. career. And world acknowledged doing calculations. The psycho- The question is, who will African discoveries. I definitely logical methodology of teaching boost the morale of the youngsters look forward to a day when an calculations requires the incorpo- towards Physics? A concerned mind African will be proclaimed the win- ration of analogy into the teaching will ask: when will an African win ner of the Nobel Prize in Physics. mode. The youngsters need to see the Nobel Prize in Physics? Then I will be glad because Physics what they are told. In other parts of the world, is glorified. It is revealed that only 60% Physicists have contributed to the of high school pupils have a basic development of their society Yomi Akintola, Ibadan,Nigeria

18 JIAPS 2004/3. F u n s p a c e The Physicists’ March of Mafihe

To the tune of John Brown’s body lies a-mouldering in the grave

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Come hither and hear of our What knowest thou of the connection of physics great exploits! and engineering, the expansion of the universe, We’re the most beautiful out of all the multitudes the might and beauty of this lyrics, and generally, We’re the most cheerful guys out of all the multitudes this whole [...] lot? We’re the most enlightened out of all the multitudes From the table of my knowledge all engineers are fed, And the most humble of all! Space expands to make room for the thoughts inside my head! At my command the world turns ‘round and nuclei decay, You can go through the needle’s eye seven times, So, only one thing’s left to say: Can be as important as a condom on the night- Should I be a particle or should I be a wave? But still you can’t come close to the good old physicist! And if I were a dead cat then just how should I behave? ‘couse physics is the BEST , the BEST, the BEST ! I need to find the answers and I need to find them now But I really don’t know how! Canst thou integrate a P.D.E whenst it aproacheth a great singularity ? [1] The pornographic version cannot be regarded as authentic! Don’t know how to integrate, so only perturbate1 [2] To tell the truth, the H atom can also be viewed as a 4 And assuming of convergence might be a mistake. dimensional harmonic oscillator... But we create a new world with our every word and line. So I’d say we’re doing fine! [3] May be replaced by other events, eg. Nation’s Party, trip to Belgrade, etc. Should I be a particle or should I be a wave? [4] See Feynman, R.P.:The Feynman Lectures on Physics. And if I were a dead cat then just how should I behave? I need to find the answers and I need to find them now Published by Dávid Gyula et al. But I really don’t know how! Translated by James T O’Connor (NC UK), Bruck József, Kövesárki Péter, Patay Gergely, Serényi Tamás (ICPS2002 OC). And thou shalt knoweth the simplest of physical Further thanks to Emily Cook, and, for the last verse, systems! to Jim Grozier (ICPS2004). Harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom2 Whether there is anythin else, oh how could I know? But if there’s anything else, I don’t give a sh*t - That’s a perturbation hit! Q: How many general relativists does it take to change a light bulb. Should I be... A: Two. One holds the bulb, while the other rotates the universe. Hast thou heard of the might of Schrödinger’s Q: How many quantum physicists does it take to change Equation? a lightbulb ? A: One. Two to do it, and one to renormalise the wave Whether you take ICPS3, beer or anything, function. (Explanation - Renormalising the wave function The Schrödinger’s Equation will clarify everything! is something that has to be done to a lot of quantum Though, Feynman says we’re missing the Moral and the Pig4... physics calculations to stop the answer being infinity and (It’s) just a perturbation hit! makes the answer always come out as one.) Q: How many quantum mechanicians does it take to Should I be... change a light bulb? A: They can’t. If they know where the socket is, they “The next question was - what makes pla- cannot locate the new bulb. nets go around the sun? At the time of Q: How many Heisenbergs does it take to change a light Kepler some people answered this problem by bulb? saying that there were angels behind them A: If you know the number, you don’t know where the beating their wings and pushing the planets light bulb is. around an orbit. As you will see, the an- Q: How many astronomers does it take to change a light bulb? swer is not very far from the truth. The A: None, astronomers prefer the dark. only difference is that the angels sit in a Q: How many radio astronomers does it take to change a different direction and their wings push light bulb. inward.” -Richard Feynman A: None. They are not interested in that short wave stuff.

JIAPS 2004/3. 19 THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICS STUDENTS

IAPS is an international student-run association seeking to promote peaceful relations among physics students around the world. Through exposing physics students to the international community and helping them to build professional relations we are fostering a collaborative attitude amongst young physicists across the globe. Our biggest event is the legendary International Conference for Physics Students ICPS where more than 300 physics students get together every year to share scientific results as well as having a fantastic time making new friends from all over the world. To find out more about IAPS, ICPS and the rest of our activities visit our webpage: www.iaps.info Or contact us at [email protected].