Jinling, China.
STAR Research Institute.
"I'm here already?"
Hou Jinli followed Lu Zhou through the research institute gate and looked around curiously.
Even though he had been in Jinling for over half a year, and the project was somewhat related to the STAR Stellarator, this was his first time here.
Before this, he had only heard some rumors about this research institute.
For example, the military was responsible for the security of this research institute.
Also, Bai Du and Gaud couldn't even navigate to this place.
However, when he came here today, he realized that the situation here was completely different from what he imagined …
The security here doesn't seem to be as tight as I imagined?
Lu Zhou smiled and said, "Of course?"
Hou Jinli scratched his head awkwardly.
"I thought the security measures would be tighter."
At the very least, it would be like the subway security check, where they would sweep their body with a metal rod or something.
"The security here is from the military, so you don't have to worry about security. Unrelated people can't even get close to this place. As for the security measures … If even you can see through it, then it wouldn't be a secret anymore. "Lu Zhou pointed at the side of the road and said," See that? "
"Where?"
Hou Jinli looked at where Lu Zhou was pointing. However, other than the knee-high green belt, he didn't see anything.
"… What's there?"
Lu Zhou: "There's a hidden camera there, you can't see it."
Hou Jinli said, "Then how did you know?"
Lu Zhou: "I've seen the surveillance footage."
Hou Jinli: "…"
From a place two streets away to here, the surveillance cameras along the way basically had no blind spots.
Not only that, on top of the manual review, there was also facial recognition and big data analysis. If a non-local resident wandered around this area for a long time, they wouldn't even have to get close to the research institute before someone would go over and talk to them.
This level of security measures had only recently been implemented.
After all, China's position in ITER was becoming more and more delicate. The United States' interest in controllable fusion technology gave people reason to believe that they might try to obtain relevant information from outside the negotiation table.
In any case, it was better to be careful.
Lu Zhou didn't need to worry about these things.
Naturally, someone would take care of it for him from a place he couldn't see.
After taking Hou Jinli through the entrance of the tunnel, the two went straight to the laboratory embedded in the mountain.
When the two of them arrived, almost all the researchers in the laboratory were already there.
After a month of maintenance, the STAR machine had been restored to its optimal state.
Although the word "best" might have to be put in quotation marks, after all, the swelling of the structural material could not be completely eliminated, with the experience of the previous ignition test, as long as the amount of fuel injected was controlled, it should not be a big problem.
In the worst case scenario, even if an accident happened …
It was worth it!
Although the internal neutron radiation environment of the stellarator and the tokamak were similar, there were still subtle differences. Other than the illusory honor of "witnessing history", this was the reason why he chose the STAR machine instead of the EAST or other tokamak machines.
When Sheng Xianfu saw Lu Zhou appear at the entrance of the laboratory, he immediately walked over and reported the situation to him.
"All of the preparation work has been completed, we can start the experiment at any time."
Lu Zhou: "Did you put the sample in?"
Sheng Xianfu: "Yes."
Lu Zhou nodded and said, "Then get ready to start."
Sheng Xianfu: "Okay!"
There was no other conversation.
After Sheng Xianfu received the order, he immediately returned to his post.
Hou Jinli took a deep breath and looked at the experiment that was about to begin. He was so nervous that his body was trembling.
A 40 billion yuan scientific research project, he had never participated in such a major project before.
If the machine malfunctioned, would he be held responsible? If the LPC-1 material didn't work, or if they missed a peak during the XRD test, causing this experiment to go down the drain …
Even though none of these things were likely to happen, they still made his mind a mess.
After all, before he stepped into this laboratory, he never thought about these problems.
Hou Jinli looked at Lu Zhou's back and began to think.
If I'm feeling this pressure just by standing here, then what kind of pressure is Professor Lu under?
It's scary just thinking about it …
Academician Pan, who was standing next to Lu Zhou, looked at the busy laboratory staff behind the floor-to-ceiling windows. He frowned and had a look of worry in his eyes.
"Are we really going to use the STAR machine for this experiment?"
"This is the best choice." Lu Zhou nodded and said with a blank expression, "If the LPC-1 material is proven to be effective, I will immediately start the construction of a demonstration reactor."
"Has the liquid lithium neutron recovery system been solved?" Academician Pan looked at Lu Zhou with surprise. He then said, "And the ferrofluid electric energy generator. Both of these problems are critical, right? "
Lu Zhou: "I think it's completely feasible to solve these problems while we're constructing them. At least compared to the neutron-resistant material, these two problems aren't critical problems. "
Academician Pan: "I don't know why you're in such a hurry, but there's still five or six years until 2025. Of course, it's important to be fast and steady, but no matter what, stability is still the most important … Remember, don't be too hasty. "
"Yeah." Lu Zhou nodded and said, "I understand."
Academician Pan shook his head.
He knew that Lu Zhou didn't listen to his advice. Lu Zhou's "I understand" was probably just a polite reply. Perhaps it was because Lu Zhou was used to working alone, but he was too opinionated in his research.
However, he had no other choice but to trust Lu Zhou.
After all, he had been away from the frontline research for too long, and he only had the prestige of a so-called pioneer in this field.
It wasn't a big deal to help out outside of research. Sometimes, when Lu Zhou wasn't smooth enough with other research institutes, Academician Pan could also help out.
But when it came to specific experiments … Academician Pan really couldn't give any suggestions.
Academician Pan sighed and looked at the steel behemoth behind the floor-to-ceiling windows.
All he could do now was to pray.
…
More than 20 samples were installed in the reflection room.
This time, there were no cameras recording everything, and there were no reporters.
This was because when Lu Zhou reported to the municipal government, he specifically mentioned that this experiment was related to fusion research, so it wasn't suitable for publicity.
Fortunately, Lu Zhou mentioned this.
Otherwise, the municipal government would have sent reporters to do publicity for him.
Sheng Xianfu took a deep breath and looked at his watch.
After receiving a look from Lu Zhou, he gave an order.
"Begin experiment!"
The second he finished speaking, liquid helium began to be injected into the SG-1 superconducting magnet, soaking the coils of graphene wires around the stellarator track.
As the resistivity of the external field coil rapidly decreased, a large amount of electric current began to flow through the coil. With the help of the control coil, a perfectly closed magnetic field was formed along the stellarator track.
After Sheng Xianfu confirmed that the magnetic field was in good shape, he continued to give the order.
"Inject fuel!"
1 mg of deuterium-tritium mixture was injected into the reaction chamber through a catheter.
At the same time, the microwave heating device began to heat the gas molecules in the reaction chamber.
Almost at the moment when the gas molecules were ionized into plasma, a layer of brilliant aurora-like film spread out inside the geometrically beautiful reaction chamber.
It looked like the wings of a cicada, as if a speck of dust could shatter it.
However, the heat contained in the film was enough to cut through all armors in the world.
Fortunately, it was being controlled by an invisible hand …
The magnetic field that restrained the plasma was still stable.
The temperature and density of the plasma continued to rise until it reached the critical point of fusion ignition.
At this moment, everyone could not help but clench their fists tightly.
Suddenly, a white light flashed on the screen, and the image turned into a snowflake.
At this moment, the most terrifying energy on this planet was brewing in the orbit of the stellarator.
However, this process only lasted for less than three seconds …
"Turn off the microwave heating device!"
After the heating device was turned off, the heat was continuously diverted by the divertor, and the fusion reaction suddenly stopped.
After the device cooled down, the staff wearing protective suits quickly entered the reaction chamber and took out precious samples.
These samples would be sent to a special testing room to test their DPA values, He residues, and other attributes.
At the same time, the staff responsible for equipment maintenance also rushed into the equipment and began to evaluate the damage of structural materials, first wall materials, divertor, and other components.
Hou Jinli looked at the samples being sent to the testing room and followed them. He assisted the STAR researchers in completing the test.
Within an hour, the test results were out.
The second the report was brought into the laboratory, everyone surrounded it, regardless of whether they could understand it or not.
Hou Jinli's hands were shaking as he held the report. He looked at Lu Zhou and then at the researchers that he had never met before. He said with a trembling voice, "… The neutron beam basically passed through the material, and the interstitial atoms basically filled in the origin lattice! All of the data shows that the material has excellent resistance to high-energy neutron radiation, and there is no obvious radiation damage! "
Sheng Xianfu held his breath.
Academician Pan's eyes widened.
Everyone at the scene was visibly moved, and their faces were filled with joy.
The neutron beam passed through!
There is no obvious radiation damage!
When Lu Zhou heard this, he smirked.
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