By summer student Mehdi Belbekouche >
“Hallo” was the first German word I learned, and thanks to HZB, I’ve had the chance to learn much more about the German language and Germany itself. Although in the beginning, I mostly said “HALLO” then communicated in English, by the end, I was always proud to say “DANKE,” feeling like I truly knew how to speak German.
The summer student program was an incredible opportunity, not only to experience German culture but also to connect with people from around the world. I had the honor of meeting students from Brazil, India, Argentina, Egypt, Spain, China… and many other countries. Engaging in conversations with them made me realize that the world is much bigger than what we see on a map.
Despite our differences, we all shared the same feelings at the beginning, excitement and a bit of fear. We were excited to work with the HZB facilities and explore new scientific territories, but also nervous about whether we would meet the high expectations set for us. What truly united us was our shared love for science and the desire to discover more about the world around us.
I’ve loved physics since childhood. I’ve always been curious about the world and the natural phenomena around me, constantly seeking answers to the questions I asked myself. Studying physics has helped to satisfy some of that curiosity, but I realized that gaining more answers requires deeper knowledge and skills, both theoretical and practical.
My summer student project:
During the summer student program, I had the opportunity to work on a project focused on quantum magnetism, a complex and fascinating area, particularly when dealing with systems that exhibit both order and disorder. I was supervised by Dr. Matias Gonzalez, whose mentorship was invaluable. He was not only an excellent guide but also highly communicative and patient, especially when I made mistakes. The supportive work environment he created was perfect for learning and growth, and I gained a great deal from working with him.
To explore the intricate behaviors of quantum magnetism, we used a less conventional approach called Schwinger boson mean-field theory. This method allowed us to understand both ordered and disordered states in a way that standard techniques cannot.
I began by getting a solid grasp of quantum spin theories, working with tools like creation and annihilation operators to analytically solve the Hamiltonian. This was key to understanding how these systems work. Next, I dove into coding, creating scientific software in Fortran to solve the Hamiltonian numerically, and picked up Julia (a programming language) along the way, a great experience to enhance my coding and computational skills. Ultimately, I gained a deeper understanding of quantum magnets, learning how to interpret results and recognize phase transitions. This project was invaluable in strengthening my knowledge in both theoretical and computational physics.
Life in HZB
The daily ritual of sharing lunch with the lab team was a standout experience. Hearing the enthusiastic shout of “LUNCH!!” from my supervisor at 12:27 was always a delightful way to whet the appetite. Those lunchtime conversations with researchers were not only informative but also brimming with genuine warmth and curiosity, making each meal a truly enjoyable and enriching experience. The weekly Wednesday football matches were a burst of excitement, every game was filled with laughter, creating unforgettable moments of connection and joy with my colleagues.
The summer student experience was truly unforgettable. I wish every student could have the chance to be part of something so special. The biggest lesson I learned is that, despite coming from different nations and cultures, science has a unique power to unite us, bringing us together to make the world a better place to live in.
About the Author: Mehdi Belbekouche is an MSc Material Physics student at the University of Mostaganem, Algeria, and is participating in the International Summer Student Program at HZB in 2024.