‘We get to handle elements that don’t normally exist’

Q2What are your favorite books?

Shigekawa: I read a lot of science books, and I especially like “Quantum” by Manjit Kumar, because it explains the history of quantum mechanics. It is a dramatic tale about how quantum mechanics developed and “the moment a science was born.” I hope I can witness the birth of a new science, too.

Nambu: When I was in junior high and high school, I often read the Blue Backs series. I especially liked “Relativity for The Layman” by James A. Coleman. At university, I was in the chemistry department, but since I was originally interested in physics as well, I often attended lectures in the physics department.

Minerals containing uranium glow when exposed to black light.

Q3Dr. Nambu, I hear you were a high school teacher for two years.

Nambu: One of my parents was a teacher, so when the time came to think about starting work, I decided to get a teaching license. The difference is that a teacher works largely for the benefit of others, while a researcher is motivated by his or her own curiosity. But of course, researchers are also motivated by how they could contribute to the world and others as well. As a teacher, I mainly taught chemistry, but because I had to teach everything in the textbooks, I acquired knowledge in a wide variety of fields. This knowledge is useful when I want to do something new in my research and need to combine or bring together different facets of my knowledge.

Shigekawa: High school knowledge can be surprisingly useful.

Nambu: Textbooks are important.

Shigekawa: It is difficult to apply what you’ve learned unless you have the habit of actually thinking about it in the field. That’s why whenever we have trouble with an experiment, we discuss what the problem is.

Flow from the synthesis of superheavy elements to their chemical separation.

Q4What do you do to relax from your research?

Shigekawa: Nothing extraordinary, just sweets and coffee. A break from desk work is essential.

Nambu: The two of us have discussions, talk about unrelated topics, or watch the news. I also enjoy the view of a pond and rows of cherry trees within the RIKEN campus where I often ride my bicycle. It’s one of my favorite spots at RIKEN. Sometimes you can even see ducks.

Shigekawa: I take walks for a change of scenery. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were many people viewing the cherry blossoms. Now, there are not many people walking around, but RIKEN is rich in nature and the atmosphere is similar to that of a university campus.