[Meet KEK People] Mr. Suerfu BURKHANT / I am determined to endure hardships, like Odysseus on his arduous voyage

Interview date: 2024/05/15

This time, I interviewed Dr. Suerfu Burkhant, an assistant professor at KEK. He is from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in China and has been affiliated with the International Center for Quantum-field Measurement Systems for Studies of the Universe and Particles (WPI-QUP) at KEK since 2023. He earned his Ph.D. at Princeton University and has participated in experimental research as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Berkeley.

I’ve heard that you are in charge of an experiment using a dilution refrigerator which was featured on the cover of the 2022 KEK Annual Report. It is a sparkling and very beautiful device. What kind of research are you working on?

My research focuses on dark matter. I aim to discover it by utilizing the superconducting transition phenomenon of metals at cryogenic temperatures. By mixing helium-3 and helium-4, which are isotopes of helium, we can achieve extremely low temperatures.

When a particle hits the detector, it releases energy, causing the temperature to rise and the superconducting transition to change. Since the total mass of the universe and the number of known particles are well understood, detecting signals that appear at a different count rate from what is expected would indicate the presence of dark matter. From the perspective of thermal conductivity, pure gold would be ideal for the experimental device. It is, however, very expensive, so we use gold-plated copper components instead.

Unlike experiments that use large amounts of artificially produced particles, detecting dark matter in the universe seems like a Herculean task, even to a non-researcher. I imagine it must take a very long time to get results.

The biggest difficulty is that we do not know whether there is an answer or not. If we knew there was an answer, it would be worth taking enough time, but there is also the possibility that there is no answer at all. Research inevitably involves an element of gambling. In Homer’s Odyssey, there is a line that says nothing is more painful than a voyage without purpose. I approach my experiments with that the same feeling.

I don’t know how long I will be involved in this experiment, but if I had the opportunity, I would also like to work on neutrino physics. While exploring fields that interest me, I hope to continue my research over the long term.

In the first place, what was the trigger that led you to become a researcher?

When I was in junior high school, I realized that there are hidden laws connecting seemingly unrelated things—mysterious celestial bodies, the landscapes of the Earth, and the invisible microscopic world. I found this underlying order beautiful. Through research, I felt that I could experience the joy of discovering things I hadn’t known.

When Japanese people hear “Inner Mongolia,” the first things that often come to mind are the Mongol invasions of Japan and images of vast grasslands. Could you tell us about your hometown?

Speaking of Inner Mongolia, there are deserts in the western part, forests in the eastern part, and world-famous grasslands in the central region. In recent years, rapid urbanization has transformed the cities, and they now resemble other cities in China. Since most of the population is Han Chinese, most people speak Chinese. Mongolian language is also spoken, mainly in the grassland regions.

Broadly speaking, Mongolian people are sociable. There is an episode illustrating that. When Genghis Khan’s father was returning from a trip to arrange his son’s marriage, he was invited to a banquet held by another tribe and joined it on the spot. His enemies had anticipated this and poisoned the food in advance, leading to his death. This story is often cited as an example of Mongolian people’s sociable nature.

Could you tell us what motivated you to apply to QUP? Do you see any differences between the research environments in the United States and Japan?

The main reason I applied to QUP was that its research matches my previous work. In addition, I like Japanese society’s safety, its closeness to my hometown, and my interest in its culture also played a role, had the worldviews of anime such as One Piece and Castle in the Sky.

Both my grandfather and father have studied in Japan, and my father teaches Japanese culture at a university in my hometown. I think my family background also influenced my decision.

In the United States, people place a strong emphasis on efficiency, and one major difference is that Ph.D. students are paid a salary. This is a significant difference in terms of working conditions.

In Japan, I feel that discipline and fairness are more strongly valued, but at the same time, Japanese people may work too hard. When I ride the train, many people look tired. It feels a little different from how characters are portrayed in Japanese anime.

Have you ever been to Japan before coming to KEK? Are there any places you want to visit from now on?

I have visited Japan before, accompanying my father. So far, I have been to Tokyo, Enoshima, and Dazaifu, where Sugawara no Michizane—known as the god of learning—is enshrined, among other places. Having lived in relatively fast-changing environments, I feel a sense of calm when I see Japan’s more static and tranquil scenery.

I find the Japanese sense of aesthetics fascinating when I see ukiyo-e prints featuring Mount Fuji as a motif, or sake cups shaped like the mountain. For work, I have the opportunity to visit Kamioka Town in Gifu Prefecture once every two or three months, and nearby places such as the Tateyama Mountains and Amaharashi Coast in Toyama Prefecture are also wonderful.

Next time, I would like to visit Hokkaido. I want to see the scenery of lavender fields and the kind of snowy landscapes that do not exist in my home region, and I would also like to try Genghis Khan hotpot.

What is your impression of Tsukuba? Was there anything that surprised you after taking up your post?

It is a place away from major cities where you can fully immerse yourself in research. It may also have the highest proportion of foreign residents in Japan. What surprised me was seeing people eat ramen together with rice—carbohydrates with carbohydrates (laughs). One night, after coming home tired from work, I tried a fruit sandwich and was unexpectedly impressed by how delicious it was. I do not think you can find that outside Japan. Also, the summer heat here is unbelievable… Inner Mongolia has a much drier climate, so it feels more comfortable.

How do you usually spend your days off?

I design electronic circuits both as a hobby and for practical purposes. I also enjoy photography, and in the future, I would like to teach a course titled “The Physics of Photography.”

Tsukuba is a comfortable place to live, but since it is inconvenient without a car, I am thinking about getting a driver’s license.

Do you have a message for the KEK staff members?

Thank you all for your hard work. Thanks to your efforts, my work is progressing smoothly. Let’s work together to make KEK an even greater place!

Today, we were able to hear many interesting stories from you beyond your area of specialization. Thank you very much.

Interviewer: Naomi Ebisawa, Public Relations Office

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