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Editor's Note: The results of the fifth SCNU English Writing and Short Video Contest have been announced on the website of the Office of International Exchange & Cooperation of SCNU (see results). We congratulate all prize winners on their outstanding performance. Winning entries will be published in this column.
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By Lin Zefeng
In the resplendent historical starry sky of South China Normal University, there is a particularly dazzling star that radiates a unique light, adding a forceful stroke to the scientific research and academic development of the university, and that is Liu Songhao. Professor Liu Songhao, an outstanding scientist who has been deeply engaged in the field of optics for many years and has achieved remarkable feats. His story is like a brilliant light, illuminating the path forward for countless people at SCNU.
Liu Songhao was born in November 1930 in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. His family originated from Shunde, in Guangdong. Since childhood, he has had a strong thirst for knowledge and has lifelong brimmed with curiosity about the unknown. On the path of study, he demonstrated extraordinary perseverance and wisdom. With outstanding grades, he was admitted to the Guangdong University of Arts and Sciences (the predecessor of South China Normal University), which forged his inseparable bond with optics.
Academician Liu Songhao of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
During his college years, Liu Songhao craved for nourishment through knowledge, particularly in the field of optics. He immersed himself in the library, consulting advanced literature produced both at home and abroad; He shuttled through the laboratory, conducting one experiment after another. His hard work and perseverance enabled him to stand out among his classmates and laid a solid foundation for his future scientific research career.
In 1951, Liu Songhao graduated with honors from the Guangdong University of Arts and Sciences. At that time, there was a severe shortage of talents in the research and manufacturing of optical instruments in China, so Liu Songhao still resolutely dedicated himself to this extremely challenging field and contributed to the country's scientific and technological progress.
Liu Songhao's journey in scientific research has not been smooth. In that era of relatively scarce material conditions, the experimental equipment was rudimentary, and research funds were limited. However, these difficulties did not deter him from forging ahead. He led his team to overcome numerous hardships and continuously explore and innovate. Under arduous circumstances, they carried out one scientific research project after another.
Liu Songhao's initial task was to assist in the development of China's first batch of optical glass. This was an arduous task, and many difficulties were encountered in the process of development. After ignition, the optical glass melting pot was heated, but the crucible was prone to deformation and the bottom was susceptible to cracks. However, Liu Songhao and his team did not retreat. After numerous attempts, they finally manufactured a qualified crucible.
When addressing the issue of a large number of "bubbles" in the glass, Liu Songhao determined, after countless repeated experiments, that they were vacuum bubbles and proposed a suggestion to thicken the insulation cover to slow down the cooling rate of the glass. Eventually, they successfully smelted China's first optical glass, ending the history of China's reliance on imports. After that, he was assigned to Kunming 298 Factory in Yunnan province, to assist in building China's first optical glass production line, commencing from the most fundamental work and laying a solid foundation for the development of China's optical glass industry.
Liu Songhao was not content with his achievements; he set his sights on a loftier goal - the research of rare earth optical glass. This is a key technology applied in the military field, and foreign countries have always kept it under wraps. However, with perseverance and unwavering efforts, Liu Songhao obtained thousands of valuable data after thousands of smelting experiments and successfully developed rare earth optical glass with high refractive index and low dispersion, breaking the foreign technology monopoly and winning the Invention Award of the State Science and Technology Commission and the Excellence Award of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
In the field of lasers, Liu Songhao is also one of the significant pioneers in China. The CaF₂: Dy²⁺ infrared CW solid-state laser he successfully developed is one of the three earliest successful solid-state lasers in China. He also studied the interaction between lasers and matter, discovered the stimulated Kerr scattering effect, and proposed the corresponding theory. In addition, he took the lead in establishing the experimental method of ultrasound molecular beam laser spectroscopy in China, conducted laser life science research, detected the two-photon-induced fluorescence generated by protein molecules at room temperature for the first time, and systematically studied the photodynamic mechanism of hemoporphyrin derivatives for cancer treatment, making outstanding contributions to the development of laser biology and laser medicine in China.
Liu Songhao is not only an outstanding scientist but also an exceptional educator. During his tenure as a professor at South China Normal University, he cultivated numerous outstanding students. He focuses on fostering students' innovation ability and practical skills and encourages them to explore the unknown. His classes are lively, interesting, and inspiring. He utilizes his personal experience and scientific research achievements to inspire students' love and pursuit of optics.
In the process of teaching, Liu Songhao always insists on leading by example and influencing students with his words and deeds. His rigorous academic attitude, diligent work spirit, and noble moral demeanor have become a model for students to follow. He cares about the growth and development of his students, not only in academics, but also in life. After graduation, his students are distributed over various fields and contribute to the development of the country.
In 1986, Liu Songhao became the president of South China Normal University. Under his leadership, SCNU intensified its efforts in discipline development and the introduction of talents, and advocated that teacher training colleges should not only train good teachers, but also possess excellent discipline development and scientific research capabilities. In 2002, he initiated and presided over the establishment of the School of Information, Optoelectronics Science and Technology of South China Normal University. After years of development, the college has become an important scientific research and talent training base in the field of optics and optoelectronics in China.
In the new era, Liu Songhao still retains his enthusiasm and dedication to optical research. He pays attention to the development of science and technology and actively offers suggestions and proposals for China's optical industry. He hopes that through his own efforts, he can cultivate more outstanding talents and promote the sustainable development of China's optical field.
Liu Songhao, is a light chaser and a creator of light. He uses his wisdom and sweat to pen a magnificent optical legend. His story of endeavor is not only his personal glory but also a precious asset of South China Normal University. His story will always inspire us to continue moving forward on the path of pursuing truth and contribute to the realization of the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
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