Kamerling-Onnes Laboratory, Leiden

The Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, part of the Leiden Institute of Physics, holds a prominent place in the history of scientific discovery. Known for its distinctive trapezoidal shape, the building features a central open area, white arched windows, and Gothic-inspired decorations, exemplifying Flamand art. This laboratory was named in honor of Heike Kamerlingh Onnes, a pioneering physicist whose groundbreaking research earned him the Nobel Prize in 1913.

Kamerlingh Onnes, born in 1853, was the first to liquefy helium in 1908, a critical achievement that advanced cryogenics and earned him international acclaim. In 1911, he discovered superconductivity, the phenomenon where certain materials exhibit zero electrical resistance at extremely low temperatures. His contributions cemented Leiden University's reputation as a hub for low-temperature physics, a focus that continues to this day.

The Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, founded in 1904 as a cryogenics research center, became a hub for leading scientists, including Albert Einstein. Safety concerns from the 1807 Leiden gunpowder disaster eventually prompted its relocation to the Huygens-Onnes Laboratory near Oegstgeest.

Artifacts from the laboratory’s golden era, including equipment used by Nobel laureates Kamerlingh Onnes and Pieter Zeeman, are preserved at the Boerhaave Museum. A recently discovered photo album further sheds light on daily life in the lab, capturing experimental setups, staff members, and facilities through the lens of an amateur photographer.

The original laboratory, now Leiden University’s law faculty, houses a plaque marking the first helium liquefaction and an "O"-shaped artwork. Sadly, this commemorative space is often obscured behind a coffee corner, its significance largely overlooked.

The legacy of the Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory lives on through its contributions to science and its enduring influence on physics research. Its story is a testament to the pioneering spirit of Heike Kamerlingh Onnes and the enduring impact of his discoveries.