Great Power Technology

Master Control Center of the Ignition Device of the Shenguang-4 Inertial Confinement Nuclear Fusion Project, Huawu Institute of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan.

Qian Lixun stood in the empty main shooting range with a somewhat emotional expression.

Standing next to him was his apprentice, Wei Jun, who graduated from the University of Science and Technology of China with a Ph.D. in nuclear physics. Compared with his master, his expression seemed much more relaxed.

"Master, this time we have to dismantle everything from the front end to the back end and replace it with new ones. How long will it take to re-activate it?"

After hearing his words, Qian Lixun shook his head and replied:

"I don't know about that. It's said to be an equipment upgrade, but it's actually almost the same as reconstruction. I've seen the new pulse laser solution, and it's almost different from the one we use now."

"We not only have to produce it, but we also have to find ways to thoroughly understand its technology and adapt it to the ignition device."

"The difficulty of this is far beyond just replacing laser equipment."

"Not only the front-end amplifiers, filters and other equipment must be modified, but the first wall and the target pellet must also be modified. This is not a small project. However, if we can all do it, we will be close to controllable nuclear fusion. Another big step can be taken.”

"If I have to say the time, I would give a conservative estimate of two years."

"Two years, Master, doesn't seem like too long."

Wei Jun chuckled and continued:

"Master, tell me, can you still live to see nuclear fusion generate electricity?"

Qian Lixun glared at Wei Jun fiercely and cursed angrily:

"Damn it, I say this kind of unlucky thing every day. My body is still strong and I will have no problem holding on for another 40 years! You should first think about how you will live to be 70 years old!"

"With your habit of smoking and staying up late every day, I can definitely send you away!"

Wei Jun patted Qian Lixun on the back with a smile on his face and said in a flattering tone:

"Master, who of us is following who? It's too foreign to say this. I don't need you to send me off. How about you introduce Duoduo to me and I let her take care of it for me?"

"You're dreaming! I knew you were dying, yet I pushed my daughter into a pit of fire? - Wait, what do you mean by this? Do you two know each other?"

"I really don't know you. If I have that idea, I will definitely tell you first. Your disciple is still reliable in this regard, so you can rest assured."

"That's the best! If I catch you hooking up with my daughter, see if I can send you away right now!"

"Don't dare, don't dare"

The two of them chatted about master-disciple gossip. In front of them, the main structure of the target room had been completely dismantled, and the core target pellet had been taken out and taken away in a special container. .

After all the demolition work was completed, the two of them were left with an empty shooting range.

"It's still a bit sad. The shooting range was built with great effort. We haven't even had a few target shootings yet, and now it's all demolished."

Wei Jun sighed and said with some emotion.

"There's nothing to be sad about. It's just regretful at best. If you can't destroy it, you can't build it up. Since the previous technology has lagged behind, it's better to tear it all down and start over. Otherwise, if you build a new device every time the technology is updated, then what's the point?"

"Besides, these dismantled equipment are not discarded. They can be used as backup in secondary devices. They can still use some residual heat - just like you, if you don't work hard, I will let you go." It’s time to use your remaining energy in sub-level projects.”

After hearing Qian Lixun's words, Wei Jun replied with a bitter look on his face:

"Master, please stop teasing me. Look at my face now. I have stayed up all night. I really can't fight anymore."

"The reason why you can't fight is not because you are not good, but because your unhealthy lifestyle has overtaxed your body. How many times have I told you to go to bed early and get up early, and keep exercising. You should think carefully about it. If you keep your schedule normal, Will the working hours be shorter than the current days of staying up late every day?”

Qian Lixun criticized Wei Jun endlessly, but the latter could not refute and had to listen attentively. It was not until the final cleaning work in the shooting range was completed that Qian Lixun snorted and left the shooting range with Wei Jun.

"Where are we going now?"

Wei Jun followed Qian Lixun and asked with some confusion.

"Go and meet the chief engineer of this project."

"Chief engineer? Master, are you not the chief engineer?"

Qian Lixun shook his head and replied:

"I am, but the leader of this project is the Chief Technical Office, and the technology source is also the Chief Technical Office. We also have someone above us who is responsible for overall technical control and subsequent technical updates. He will be in charge of this Shenguang 5 project. Serve as a technical consultant."

"Who is it? Mr. Mu?"

Wei Jun asked curiously.

"It's not Mr. Mu, you don't know him. Don't ask any more questions later. We won't discuss technical details in this meeting. We just want him to meet with us. Your classification level has just been raised, and many things are not suitable for decryption yet. .”

"Just treat it as a social interaction and try to leave a good impression. We will have to deal with it frequently in the future work. You also know that I am not good at this. I will rely on you from now on."

Hearing Qian Lixun's words, Wei Jun nodded solemnly.

No matter who the person they want to meet is, but the one who can make their master pay attention to this level, needless to say, is also a big shot. In this case, then he will honestly be a good person and serve as a high-level person in this project. The lubricant is ready.

He did not feel aggrieved by this. Scientific research is inherently a group work, especially in such large-scale projects. Although technology is important, it is not the only factor that determines the success or failure of the project. How to manage the resources of a project, how to Handling personnel coordination matters is also something that a scientific researcher must learn.

It is a beautiful ideal to let scientific researchers concentrate on scientific research, but in fact, if scientific researchers completely let go of administrative affairs and let laypeople help handle them, the results may be even more unsatisfactory.

Therefore, on relatively basic issues, the scientific research team actually needs dedicated general affairs officers.

But now, he has to take on such a part-time role.

A few minutes later, Wei Jun followed Qian Lixun and met Ye Zhou, who had just arrived from Rongcheng, in a tightly guarded conference room. The first time he saw Ye Zhou's young face, Wei Jun immediately understood the other party’s identity.

He was part of that legendary organization.

After seeing Qian Lixun, Ye Zhou immediately stood up to greet him. He held Qian Lixun's hand and said sincerely:

"Mr. Qian, I'm really sorry. Your Shenguang No. 4 was just built and I demolished it again."

Hearing Ye Zhou's words, Qian Lixun burst out laughing. Although he had not met Ye Zhou yet, he had communicated with him many times during the early theoretical demonstration work, and he could be considered a close friend for a long time, so like this It's a joke, but I don't think it's offensive at all.

"Xiaoye, you are much younger than I thought. Seeing that you stay up late every day, I thought that all your hair had fallen out like my apprentice - but you also have a lot of gray hair, so you still have to pay attention to your health. !”

Ye Zhou nodded and smiled at Wei Jun, and then replied:

"I just came back from vacation and have had a good rest. After that, I will be stationed here permanently and be responsible for technical consultant related work. I will have to discuss with you any problems I encounter. Please bear with me."

Qian Lixun is one of the most prestigious among the older generation of nuclear physicists in China. He has been responsible for research related to inertial confinement fusion since the Shenguang-1 project, and led all related work from No. 1 to No. 4. If He is said to be the number one scientist currently active in the field of nuclear fusion in China, and probably only Song Yuntao, who is in charge of the EAST project, can compete with him.

And further up, there are such god-like figures as Yu Min, Li Deping, and even Deng Jiaxian and Qian Xuesen.

Therefore, in front of Qian Lixun, Ye Zhou would never dare to show any airs.

Hearing Ye Zhou's polite tone, Qian Lixun's originally worried mood was instantly relieved. When communicating with Ye Zhou online before, Ye Zhou showed his sharpness in technical arguments, even because of a I had been arguing with myself for two hours about the low-activation steel-tungsten hybrid material that was resistant to radiation, which made my head feel as big as a bucket.

The two people have fundamental differences in their technical ideas. In his view, existing material technology can fully meet the current experimental needs. There is no need to invest resources in developing new materials. However, the other party believes that materials are the foundation of fusion technology. Difficulty, the earlier you break through, the greater your profits will be.

Don't you know this? But the problem is, how can there be so many resources invested in the research and development of new materials?

The other party did not give a clear answer to this question, so the debate at that time ended.

But fortunately, it seems now that the young man opposite is just obsessed with technology and a bit idealistic, and he is not the kind of person who is difficult to get along with.

After chatting with Ye Zhou for a few words, Qian Lixun sat down on the sofa. The two discussed the operation methods and road sign arrangements of the subsequent Shenguang 5 project, and initially set the first phase of the test schedule. This time, the two finally There was no quarrel.

"The basic plan has been finalized. You will still be the main focus of this project from now on, and I will be responsible for technical assistance. As for the material problem of the first wall we mentioned before, I will find a way to solve it and strive to solve it in the second Implement the application before an experiment to avoid the problem of repeated disassembly, assembly and upgrade of equipment.”

"Okay, then I'll do as you say - wait a minute, when do you think the new material will be used?"

"Before the first experiment."

Ye Zhou replied in a calm tone.

".So soon? Within a year? Already have a direction?"

An undisguised look of surprise appeared on Qian Lixun's face. Only then did he understand why the other party had the confidence to argue with him before. He dared to believe that the lover's family already had a solution.

Seeing his expression, Ye Zhou replied:

"Our goal is to produce a prototype within half a year and mass manufacture within nine months. You know, the domestic Sanchi Laboratory now has rich experience in the field of materials science, and I will leave this work to them. Don’t worry.”

Qian Lixun nodded slowly and said with some emotion:

"The waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves ahead. If the problem of materials can be solved, then our Shenguang 5 may go further than we expected."

Ye Zhou smiled slightly and replied:

"Don't worry, Mr. Qian. Even if we can't directly export energy this time, we will definitely make it set an absolutely leading record."