Hong Bui is a graduate student from Vietnam. She joined QNS in 2018 and works on Quantum Properties of Individual Spin System on Surfaces using one of our ESR-STM systems.

Q: What are some highlights of working at QNS for you?
A: I think it is a harmonious combination of Western and Eastern working styles. The second is that full equipment and machines allow us to operate and study new ideas ourselves. There are many events (such as seminars, workshops... and parties) with the participation of leading experts, opening opportunities to exchange and learn more knowledge.

Q: What have you learned at QNS?
A: I have learned a lot about physics and specialized knowledge related to the Atomic World such as quantum physics, quantum computing, and so on. I have been trained and practiced many soft skills, presentation skills, how to work in groups, and how to build relationships with colleagues and teachers. And last but not least, our center has a lot of people from different countries, as well as myself as an international student, it is very interesting to exchange and learn about different cultures.

Q: What has been the hardest for you at QNS?
A: When I first started working at QNS, which is one of the “World-class” centers with difficult research topics. It requires people to have not only a solid knowledge base but also a quick acquisition and great effort. This is really a challenge for new graduate students like me. However, I believe challenges always go hand in hand with opportunities.

Q: What has made you the happiest at QNS?
A: Discussion for a deeper understanding of physics, I think. I love those moments when I find something and show it to everyone. It makes me feel more interested and curious about physics. In addition, BBQ at our Hub or parties are happy times for me, we joke, sing, and cook together. It’s like something special that makes me feel like I’m at home, like I don’t live far from my family.

Q: What have you found most surprising?
A: I used to think that high-level scientists like Andreas would be very serious, dry, and be difficult to talk to until I worked here. They are professional in the work, but very sociable, funny and extremely enthusiastic at parties.

Jiyoon is a graduate student who joined QNS in our very first year and works on magnetic and electric properties of single atoms. She was instrumental in helping to construct one of our home-built STMs combined with electron spin resonance. We asked her a few questions about her experience at QNS, here are her responses.

Q: What are some highlights of working at QNS for you?
A: First, our small team took about 2 years for building an ESR-STM system with Joule-Thomson refrigerator. Finally in June, we got the first data from our machine, Eve! I couldn’t forget the first time when we saw a nice herringbone structure of gold surface at 4 K. Second, when we got the first ESR signals by applying microwaves to the tip and antenna. For getting ESR, we measured IETS steps on Fe atoms and population difference by spin-polarized tip.



Q: What have you learned at QNS?
A: Nothing can be done alone. Making one machine needs a lot of specialists in STM or engineering or others. But the most important thing is to respect everyone’s opinions and harmonize them as much as possible. And I learned how to communicate with them and the best way to filter and combine the necessary parts of everyone’s input.

Q: What has been the hardest for you at QNS?
A: For building the machine, we did more than 10 times cool tests of inner structures for better performance with liquid Helium. Sometimes, we realized something is totally wrong right after filling the liquid Helium to the Dewar. We had to blow all the Helium and warm up again. Not long after I joined to the construction team, I had to strongly argue my opinions to senior members of the team. At that time, I was the only student, and the others are all postdocs. I had to gather a lot of courage to say my opinion.

Q: What has made you the happiest at QNS?
A: I couldn’t forget the time when the piezo stacks works that I soldered all cables and sticked on the plate. Whenever I check what I design and assemble works properly, I feel satisfied with myself.

Q: What have you found most surprising?
A: No one gives up easily. We all know that everything cannot be perfect every day. However, even if tip is broken or something is wrong, they just take a break and start over. Sometimes I feel depressed and disappointed about results, but thanks to such an environment, I can cheer up again and move forward.

Q: What would you like to make sure that people know about QNS?
A: All members never hesitate to share what they know already and are always ready to hear others’ opinions whenever. QNS generously supports new projects regardless of your position. This is how I could complete a new machine without any experience in STM, machining, or electronics.