The personnel of the velvet project were all in place, and Chen Nian immediately began to communicate with them.

In fact, the goal of the first phase is very simple, that is, to summarize all the cutting-edge directions related to plasma control, and cooperate with Chen Nian to absorb and learn the initial information.

This process will not be short, according to Chen Nian's estimates, it will reach at least two months.

After completing this step, Chen Nian can analyze the metallic hydrogen superconducting coil, so as to further start the so-called "technology transfer".

It's more of a step-by-step fixed step, with a lot of difficulties, but steady returns.

Therefore, Chen Nian did not have too much pressure, and even after the launch of the velvet plan, he could still devote a considerable part of his energy to continue to prepare for matters related to lasers, aerospace, and air platforms

However, everything is normal on the Huaxia side, but in the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory in California, Henning has fallen into a deep anxiety and irritability.

Just now, another ignition experiment of NIF was declared a failure, and after analysis, the main reason is still the synchronization problem of 192 relay light sources.

No matter how many attempts were made, they could not guarantee that all the lasers would hit the target at the same time, which led to different pressures at different positions and a significant reduction in the central pressure of the target.

On the other hand, the asymmetry of the pressure also leads to the uneven mixing of hydrogen isotopes and the decrease in the temperature of the target pellets.

The two major loopholes are superimposed, and the theoretically achievable fusion process becomes an unattainable luxury.

——

Even, this is only the problem that Henning has encountered, that is, the problem of "laser".

On the target pellet, the process of the project team also did not reach the required level, too much laser was scattered from the target pellet, resulting in a large amount of energy loss, and the laser energy actually reaching the target pellet was even less than one-tenth of the initial energy.

What can I do?

There is very little room for optimization in the target design, and to solve this problem, you can either increase the laser power or continue to increase the number of lasers.

But even then, even if the fusion is actually completed in the end, there is no possibility of achieving a net energy gain.

In other words, all efforts are just for a goal that "looks beautiful", but in fact it has no meaning.

Thinking of this, Henning let out a long sigh.

He looked at his colleagues and students who were still busy around him, and his thoughts couldn't help but drift away.

He has been working in this laboratory for more than 20 years, and at the beginning, the so-called state ignition device did not exist.

It was just a seemingly unrealistic idea from his predecessor, nuclear weapons designer Gilder.

The idea was discussed for many years, and it was not until 1996 that construction began in earnest, with a budget of $1.1 billion for the first phase.

In those days, this was an unimaginable astronomical figure.

Everyone is looking forward to this project, and even think that it has the potential to be the key to truly opening the door to unlimited energy.

But in fact?

From the very beginning of construction, the project did not go smoothly at all.

The project had been postponed several times due to engineering problems alone, and by 2002 the project budget had reached a staggering $2.8 billion.

The money didn't make a splash — and even the first NIF target experiment was completed in June last year.

And from June last year to now, this laboratory has swallowed up more than $800 million in construction costs and $450 million in experimental funds, but in exchange for the results.

Unsatisfactory?

If it's wrong, it's not at all.

Henning sometimes even feels that what he is building is nothing more than a big toy.

Congress is a cat who is keen to chase lasers, and he is a bad boy who constantly teases the cat's emotions with a laser pointer, making it addicted to chasing illusory hopes

It's so tiring.

Henning sat down in his chair and looked up at the ceiling.

He has never spoken to anyone about his pressure, especially in front of his opponents, and he must always maintain that posture that is full of confidence to arrogance, no one in his eyes, and full of intimidation.

He had to make them think that everything was going well with the NIF and that there was nothing wrong with the theoretical proof, so that maybe one day they would wake up from their beds and see the news of the successful ignition from the NIF.

Only in this way can the NIF maintain its pressure on other countries and other programs, and Congress will be able to devote more money to sustain the flame that is about to dissipate.

Henning's brow furrowed tightly, and it took a long time for him to finally sit up.

The assistant on the side hurriedly handed him the coffee that had been prepared a long time ago, and then said:

"The results of the three temperature calculations are out. We are still far from where we are going. ”

"The problem is still those, the synchronization performance of the laser generator is too poor, and it can't play its due role at all."

"I think that's the first thing we're going to solve."

"We had to upgrade the lasers, but we also had to replace the control system and design smarter programs."

"There is really no point in blind experimentation, and instead of consuming a lot of money like this, we should save resources and invest them in solving real problems."

Hearing the assistant's words, Henning nodded slowly.

He knew better than anyone that the laser had to be upgraded, but the problem was that he had far more difficulties on this path than anyone else had imagined.

It was not a problem that could be solved by investing resources, in fact, what he needed more was technical assistance.

But who in this country can help him?

In his own right, he is already standing at the apex of this field.

After thinking for a long time, Henning asked:

"How much time do we have?"

"Less than 18 months."

"Because of the progress of the tokamak installation, Congress has decided to raise the requirements for the NIF program."

"If the first truly 'effective' ignition is not completed within 18 months, the project will be closed by the end of 2012 and all personnel involved will be dismissed and transferred to other projects."

"18 months? Why? ”

Henning asked, confused.

He knew the project was in jeopardy, but was 18 months too short for a project of this size?

At least give them more time to research and make mistakes, right?

At this point of time, I am afraid that even the most basic complete experimental process cannot be completed

Hearing his question, the assistant sighed and then replied:

"According to the information we have, it is possible to complete the initial construction of the EAST project in China within 18 months and export the first batch of results."

"In other words, our schedules are forced to conform to theirs."

"What are you kidding!?"

Henning immediately interrupted the assistant's words, and then said categorically:

"This project has just started, and it will take a lot of time to build the infrastructure alone."

"We all know that their equipment this time is not based on the original HT-7 to modify, but from the beginning to the end of the rebuild."

"How could they have done it so quickly in this situation?"

"Not to mention the output results, even if it is theoretical preparation, it is almost impossible!"

"But this is the structure after the aggregation and analysis of information from multiple parties."

The assistant's tone was flat, he spread his hands, and said to Henning:

"In fact, they don't really need to do all the construction work on the project, but they just need to do the part that everyone cares about the most."

"The theoretical support required for the normal temperature superconducting coil based on metallic hydrogen materials -—— extremely complex step, and if they can solve it within 18 months, it means that they have eliminated one of the biggest difficulties on the practical path of nuclear fusion."

"It's even fair to say that no one has done it since the dawn of nuclear physics."

"They will have an unparalleled first-mover advantage, which includes, but is not limited to, economics, international prestige, and technology itself."

"So, we have to make countermeasures-—— and the core of countermeasures is NIF."

"That's why we're under so much pressure because we're desperate"

"No, I don't agree with that."

Henning shook his head solemnly and said:

"Congress was scared-—— yes, in the past few years their breakthroughs in the field of applied technology, especially in the field of military industry, have been amazing, even terrifying."

"But that doesn't change the fact that they are weak in basic science."

"Congress has overlooked a very important point, which is that China's technological prosperity is built on a castle in the air that lacks theoretical support."

“F-22？ Aircraft carrier? 096 submarine? ”

"I want to ask, is there any of these things that we can't understand?"

"They just rearranged the existing technology, and with some luck, they just got the result they wanted."

"This kind of development is definitely unsustainable – even metallic hydrogen is the result of a simple and crude way supported by existing theories."

"Huaxia is still that Huaxia, they are as impatient and exaggerated as ever, just a little achievement, just like a hen to show off everywhere."

"Trust me, their lead is temporary"

When these words came out, even the assistant had a feeling of being persuaded.

Yes, this is also the reason why many people do not agree with the "Chinese leading theory".

The technology they have created is so practical that it's as if they've piled all their resources together and squeezed the limits of existing theories.

Nuclear fusion is different-—— although the most basic principles are clear, the theoretical research involved in the process of practice is sky-high.

Even a single plasma control has given rise to countless unprecedented theoretical achievements.

In this case, can Huaxia really be as comfortable as before?

The answer doesn't seem so certain.

So, he couldn't help but sigh.

"While this seems to be the case, there is no denying that we do face pressure from Congress."

"We can't go and tell Congress that they're not going to get their plans done on time, so we should delay our plans as well, right?"

"Such a reason simply cannot be accepted"

"All in all, our pressure is unlikely to be alleviated – this is the situation that cannot be changed."

"No, we can change."

Henning's eyes lit up a little, and he suddenly thought of a possibility:

What if we could lock up the progress of each other's theoretical and scientific development in a certain key area?

It doesn't need to be too complicated, just limit the progress of the other party's research in the direction of plasma control.

But the question is how?

They have their own testing grounds, and they have a group of trustworthy researchers who can't be destroyed even if they want to do so through espionage.

Could it be true that like the one released in 2006, some kind of proton came out to sabotage their plasma experiments?

That's a bit too sci-fi, too.

The assistant on the side looked at him who was deep in thought, and couldn't help asking:

"So how do you change?"

"We can try to lock down their research in the field of plasma control."

Henning replied quickly.

His brain is still racing, using the special thinking that belongs to the theorists to reason about the feasibility of all strategies.

If you want to reach your goal, there are actually two paths.

One is to make the other party lose the conditions for exploration, that is, to take away the pickaxe that they use to open the way.

The other is to let the other party lose the direction of exploration and waste resources in the wrong direction.

Compared with the former, the latter is obviously more operable.

Moreover, it also has stronger concealment, which is not easy to expose flaws, and it is not easy to be corrected.

Perhaps starting with "people" is a good place to start.

If they can design a self-consistent theory and generalize it to the world, it may have an impact on their resource investment.

This kind of thing has happened too many times in history, including the Baltimore incident, the Timolimus Mouse incident, the 118 element incident, etc., all of which have caused the enrichment of scientific research resources in the wrong direction to a certain extent, and also led to a serious crisis of academic trust.

Otherwise, start with this?

A look of excitement appeared on Henning's face, and he thought more and more deeply.

No, that's not enough.

Theoretical deception must be accompanied by observable experimental data, or in other words, they must be able to see and verify the "truth of the theory" with their own eyes.

Only then will everything seem reasonable.

"I need a team-—— no, it's not me, it's that we need a team."

"A team? What kind of team? ”

"A team that brings together the world's best plasma physicists, knows the cutting-edge theories inside out, and can effortlessly concoct research results that have enough impact."

Henning explained his thoughts to his assistant, who kept asking questions, and as the conversation deepened, the two men in the office gradually came to an agreement.

Yes, it is indeed a way to do it.

In the case of a head-on hot confrontation that cannot be effective, perhaps returning to the source is the best offensive means for your side.

Although it does seem a little dirty to let these future explorers of humanity do such a thing.

But, who cares?

(End of chapter)