Journeys to the Westersingel Natuurkunde Laboratorium

Abstract

Journeys to Professor Hendrik de Waard's laboratory in University of Groningen can be paralleled to the journeys in a five-dimensional space-time-spirit coordinates, where one could feel an emanation of a very special spirit, full of enthusiasm for work, physics, of never fulfilled curiosity of life, experimental do-it-yourself hobby-projects and other creative activities. This was mixed with very special, fine, or perhaps hyperfine, personal interactions. Our experiences in Groningen were in the realm of both scientific collaboration with Hendrik and his colleagues and students, and in private interactions with him, Paula and their family, and with . . . their dog Lucky. A multitude of lively interactions at various levels, including physics, seminars and meetings, a famous ancient University, a multi-coloured old town, and everyday life were very often so closely linked in the Natuurkunde Laboratorium on Westersingel and its oldtown vicinity, that for an unaware and an inexperienced visitor it could present a serious challenge, if not a danger. In particular, one of us (JAS), not without a thrill, liked to take rest during night shifts work in the lab, and wander along canals and ancient, narrow streets that surrounded the lab. The other of us (BDS), after the first few days in the lab that included welcoming parties, had innocently observed that perhaps the major activity here was running a cafeteria and a dancing club, so that one was supposed solely to show some intelligence and orientation in meanders of physics, in return being allowed to participate in sophisticated and inspiring conversations. Various toys, such as ion implanters, spectrometers, cryostats, computers and odd pieces of equipment and software were provided generously and in abundance. Even our son Marcin, then a teenaged boy (now an accomplished astrophysicist) had something to play with. Well, this was not completely at no cost. In fact, one had to work hard, even very hard, with the scientific efficiency unsurpassed even by