Extremely low temperatures captured the audience in Rožňava

1024

The lecture by Mgr. Pavol Szabó, CSc., member of the Centre of Low Temperature Physics at Institute of Experimental Physics SAS, kick-started the series of popularization lectures by SAS scientists Vivat Scientia! Long Live Science! in Rožňava. Thanks to his engaging storytelling and multiple experiments, the audience learned about the remarkable world of low temperatures and the research in which the scientific team from the Slovak Academy of Sciences ranks among the best in the world.

The long-time researcher in the field of low temperature physics from Košice introduced the people from Rožňava to the fascinating world of extreme low temperatures in the impressive setting of the KC Kláštor. He explained why extremely low temperatures open the door to new insights into the properties of materials and phenomena that are not normally observable. He also described how scientists in laboratories are able to reach temperatures close to absolute zero – that is minus 273.15 °C – and what can be observed under such conditions.

“The behavior of matter at very low temperatures changes completely – materials reveal their hidden properties, which are normally masked by thermal noise,” explained P. Szabó. Demonstrations during the lecture showed how common materials like rubber or liquids transform into brittle or volatile substances when cooled.

One of the most impressive demonstrations was the magnetic levitation of a superconductor – a material that can conduct electric current without resistance while simultaneously “expelling” magnetic fields from its interior when subjected to very low temperatures. “Such materials have enormous application potential – from magnetic resonance imaging and high-speed trains to quantum computers,” the physicist emphasized.

The lecture wasn’t only about physics – it was about curiosity, ingenuity, and how even Slovak laboratories can play a role in global science. The audience especially appreciated the interactive approach, the clarity of the explanations, and the opportunity to glimpse into the otherwise invisible world near absolute zero.

Source: SAS News