Chapter 388: Is This Real?! _2
"If you're not very interested in this technology, we can also collaborate with the Institute of High Energy Physics at the Huaxia Science Academy."
Bai Ziyu was completely bewildered. On the screen before him, the sci-fi-like collider kept switching between images and parameters of various components, filled with a breathtaking aesthetic. Dou Dou's introductions had opened a new world for him.
A mini particle collider with performance comparable to a large hadron collider plus a laboratory for only 3.1 billion? In RMB?
And the data collection and analysis system for the collider is even more efficient and advanced?
Bear in mind that CERN, just by owning those large colliders, annually attracts over six thousand physicists from around the world for long-term research. Its published annual budget exceeds the cost of this particle accelerator, and according to Dou Dou's estimated maintenance costs, it's almost as if it doesn't cost anything compared to the others.
New technology, miniaturization of high-energy particle colliders, the world's second center for high-energy physics... When you put these terms together with Xilin University of Technology Physics College, Bai Ziyu suddenly shivered all over.
How much will his status be elevated?
With such a groundbreaking device, not getting a national-level key laboratory would be unfortunate, not for him.
"We want it, we want it. What do we need to do?" Bai Ziyu hurriedly responded after recovering.
He had no doubts about Dou Dou's claims.
People capable of creating material models surely wouldn't be joking about this kind of thing with him.
Moreover, to be honest, realizing the reverse engineering technique of material models, whether from a theoretical or engineering perspective, wouldn't be simpler than creating such a small collider.
"The Physics College needs to submit an application. Here, I have prepared a report. I've also found a place for the laboratory's construction, right near the new campus. Here are the design plans... Ah, it's exhausting to explain it like this. To put it bluntly, it's a series of troublesome tasks you need to handle when dealing with external matters, so you all need to pay attention.
We'll handle the technical aspects. Additionally, the Mathematics Research Institute can vouch for this project. The estimated time for the collider and laboratory construction is one year; given our previous preparations, it might even be earlier.
Moreover, my dad thinks that just building a laboratory isn't enough. You also need to consider the future cultivation of talent for the high-energy laboratory. Ah, to put it bluntly, the reason for supporting the Physics College's construction is to facilitate our side's use anytime in the future."
Clearly, Bai Ziyu was a clever person too, recognizing what was meant implicitly, immediately speaking to Qiao Ze: "Once the laboratory is established, should the school invite Professor Witten to be the honorary dean?"
By leveraging Edward Witten's status in theoretical physics, we can quickly promote our high-energy collider, and since Witten is currently a formal researcher at the Xilin Institute of Mathematics, an honorary title would definitely grant some privileges.
"Sounds good." Qiao Ze nodded in agreement.
"Alright then, Professor Qiao, send me the materials, and I'll personally go to the Capital to pull some strings and get this project going as soon as possible." Bai Ziyu sprang up from his chair, with a sense of urgency.
In the past, Bai Ziyu might not have been so impatient.
But with Xu Dajiang ahead, Bai was really on edge.
...
The Capital, when the copied report from Xilin reached the Institute of High Energy Physics, several academicians felt like the report was straight out of a science fiction world.
"Have they gone mad? Such a small particle collider? Only a little over ten meters in total length, with a diameter less than four meters, and it can rival CERN's LHC? Plus, it's entirely domestically produced? Do they not adhere to scientific principles anymore?"
"Zhang, don't just look at the overview; take a look at the accompanying documentation, and then make your statement."
"I mean, what theoretical basis allows for completing the entire acceleration process within just ten-plus meters? Don't you think this sounds like a fantasy?"
"Hey, it's actually not a fantasy; it relies on controlling the quantum tunneling effect."
"No way, quantum tunneling effect? What a joke! Even though the quantum tunneling effect allows particles to cross barriers deemed insurmountable in classical physics, efficiently overcoming energy barriers and achieving rapid energy boosts, doesn't it require precise control over particles at the subatomic level? Can our technical conditions meet such requirements? Or are we capable of constructing miniature celestial bodies similar to the sun, creating extreme environments?"
"No, if you take a closer look, you'll find something. Actually, you don't need control at the subatomic level. Based on their theoretical calculations, it's achievable by adjusting the intensity and distribution of nonlinear electromagnetic fields, inducing particles to overcome barriers."
"Does Xilin University of Technology Physics College dare to boast like this?! Can their research achieve these results?"
"Ahem, Zhang, do you have a chip on your shoulder today? The report doesn't claim these results as the Physics College's outputs. It's proposed by Xilin Institute of Mathematics. Mm, jointly researched by Professor Qiao and Professor Witten, with complete mathematical models provided here."
"What? Xilin Institute of Mathematics, Qiao Ze and Witten?" Zhang Qige was stunned, stopped talking, and started examining the printed report more carefully.
He hadn't seriously read the report; the overview alone had made the application seem highly unreliable, making him unwilling to waste time reading it thoroughly. But hearing these remarks, he suddenly felt he had been a bit careless.
He even suspected that the people who gave him the report hadn't explained it clearly, possibly setting him up for an embarrassing remark in such a situation.
Sure enough, he quickly spotted the Xilin Institute of Mathematics's official seal on the accompanying documents, along with a brief theoretical description of the new accelerator and results from mathematical models.
Though not very detailed, it's specifically mentioned that if a complete simulation test report is needed, one can apply to Xilin Institute of Mathematics to view it.
This was something Zhang Qige could generally understand.
After all, the academic community hadn't yet heard of a new accelerator theory emerging, which probably indicated that their research hadn't been publicly announced for various reasons.
Such confidentiality was normal under these circumstances.
"What does this application to review mean?"
"They've also stated that the Ministry of Science is welcome to establish an assessment group to conduct an on-site investigation at Xilin. At that time, they can demonstrate the complete simulation report. The Science Committee was surprised by this application, so they forwarded it to us.
It's required to promptly form an expert group to visit Xilin. If possible, confirm this matter quickly. Having our own collider has been a long-time wish for many of us, so I think this matter shouldn't be delayed."
Zhang Qige blinked and immediately became somewhat excited: "I mean, if such a large scientific apparatus can indeed be built for just over 30 billion, why not construct it here first? What foundation does Xilin have for high-energy physics research?"
Though still somewhat skeptical, with reports endorsed by Qiao Ze and Edward Witten, the credibility was significantly heightened.
Though the report doesn't delve into theoretical parts much, from any angle, these two wouldn't engage in fraudulent acts to obtain research funding.
Qiao Ze needn't be mentioned; when the Qiaoze Natural Science Award was established, he had personally contributed significantly. Edward Witten is over seventy now; it's absolutely absurd to conspire to acquire some money at this age. Even if, against all odds, he were to procure the money, where would he spend it?
Let's not even mention that such targeted construction funding is earmarked...
"Why choose Xilin? Is further explanation necessary? Anyway, this time, the Science Committee is organizing an expert group with three seats for us. Raise a hand if you want to join."
As soon as the words were spoken, all seven academicians in the meeting room raised their hands simultaneously.
"All want to go, huh? Let's take a vote then..."
...
The same debate unfolded in several universities.
The expert group certainly didn't only comprise members of the Institute of High Energy Physics; it also included academicians and professors employed at universities.
For example, Professor Yang Xuanqing from Huaqing University.
This recipient of last year's newly-awarded Nobel Prize was left bewildered upon learning that Xilin Institute of Mathematics had developed a new accelerator theory.
To be honest, he admitted that among last year's physics Nobel Prize recipients, the academic level disparity between the three was probably the widest in history for the same year's laureates. But stretching it to this extent was excessive.
To appoint him as a member of the expert group was akin to a face-to-face mockery.
Look, the other two Nobel laureates, after just a couple of months together, have concocted yet another Nobel Prize achievement, and what about you?!