Nobel Prize physicist once called for the abolition of Vietnam's embargo

The love of science cultivates the close affection between Professor Jack Steinberger, who won the Nobel Prize in 1988, with Professor Tran Thanh Van and the country of Vietnam, urging him to send a letter to the US President requesting the removal. embargo.

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In the framework of the 9th Scientific Week "Meeting Vietnam" in Binh Dinh, Mr. Jack Steinberger, 92 years old, went "halfway around the world" to Vietnam to attend this event. Among the 5 Nobel Prize-winning physicists to Quy Nhon City, Professor Jack Steinberger is the oldest.

Professor Jack Steinberger (right), the 1988 Nobel Prize winner in physics talked to Professor Le Kim Ngoc, wife of Professor Tran Thanh Van at the Center for International Science and Interdisciplinary Education, Quy Nhon City.(Photo: Tri Tin)

He was awarded the 1988 Nobel Prize in Physics with the work of 'The neutrino beam method and demonstrated the doublet of the leptons through the invention of muon neutrinos' at the European Nuclear Research Center (CERN). ).

In 1934, he went to New York, attended High School Trier Township, and studied for two years at the Armuour Institute of Technology (now the Illinois Institute of Technology). In 1942, graduating from the University of Chicago with chemistry, Jack Steinberger enlisted and was sent to MIT's radiological laboratory after a special training in the theory of electromagnetic waves organized by the US military.

After World War II, returning to the University of Chicago, working alongside master scientists such as Enrrico Fermi, W. Zachariasen, Edward Teller, Gregor Wentzel, he discovered muon (a primary particle). of cosmic rays. The results of his research create an empirical basis for the concept of weak interaction.

In 1968, GS Van met Jack Steinberger when attending a scientific conference held in France. Since then, both have become close friends and often meet each other during international conferences and seminars.

In 1993, while the US also sought sanctions, the travel of American citizens, especially the Nobel Prize-winning scientist such as Prof. Jack Steinberger, came to Vietnam to face many difficulties."At that time I came to Vietnam, I had to spend a lot of time with countless strict administrative procedures, through many doors to strictly control the exit procedures, finally in December 1993 I also got to Vietnam to fly Nam attended the Science Week "The 1st Meeting of Vietnam" organized by GS Tran Thanh Van and his wife , " said Professor Jack Steinberger.

At that time, Vietnamese researchers were really moved and appreciated for his love of endless science."When I was in Hanoi, Jack gave a letter asking the US president to abolish the embargo against Vietnam for me to see," recalled Professor Van.

Center for International Science and Interdisciplinary Education (ICISE) in Quy Nhon City was donated by the couple Professor Tran Thanh Van.This is the ideal "rendezvous" of international scientists with Vietnamese researchers.(Photo: Tri Tin)

At that time, humble Jack Steinberger said: "I have written a proposal so that US President Bill Clinton has time to read. It must be fate and then go to the trash".

Shortly after that, in February 1994, US President Bill Clinton decided to abolish the embargo on Vietnam. The affection between GS Van and his wife and Professor Jack Steinberger became more intimate.

For the first 20 years of his visit to Vietnam, Prof. Jack Steinberger returned to the Science Week "The 9th Vietnam Meeting" in Quy Nhon City, he was surprised by the amazing changes across the streets and villages. countryside, bustling urban area.

Jack Steinberger shared that he returned to Vietnam this time, first of all to support Professor Van and his wife with what they have been doing for Vietnam's science and education. On the other hand, he felt guilty for what America had done to the people here during the war years. He hoped that in this return, it will help ease the pain and loss that Vietnam has suffered.

He also said that it was his love of science that helped him get closer to Professor Van, urging him to do something to connect the friendship between the United States and Vietnam.

"The war has left a lot of pain and loss, it is time for us to close the past, towards the future. Vietnam has severe consequences of war, I believe in the near future if your country If you are interested in investing in scientific and technological research, you will pick sweet fruits in the near future , " said Mr. Jack Steinberger.