My science and technology museum

"Then let's follow this arrangement first, and then make adjustments if there is anything inappropriate during the process."

As an old man in the industry, Hao Yaoping must have hoped to see good talents emerge among the younger generations. After all, they are the backbone of the future development of the industry.

So although I was a little worried about Xu Lei being responsible for the research and development of lasers, I saw the confidence Xu Lei showed.

Finally agreed.

I thought it would not be too late to add more people after Xu Lei personally experienced the difficulties.

As the saying goes, nothing can be made without polishing it, and experiencing some setbacks can often make a person grow up faster.

Anyway, that's what Hao Yaoping thought about.

With Hao Yaoping's words, the other project developers naturally had no objections and quickly went to work on their respective jobs.

Because many of these people have experienced research on lithography machine-related technologies, and the tasks assigned to them by Xu Lei are consistent with their own majors, it didn't take long to get into the groove.

There was no chaos at the beginning of the project.

As for Xu Lei, he was very satisfied with this.

At least it made him feel more relaxed.

After the others left, he also took the two assistants he arranged to the light source laboratory.

——

Ma Congming and Hu Xing are both in their early thirties this year. It can be said that apart from Xu Lei, they are the two youngest researchers in this photolithography machine project, and they are only ordinary scientific researchers.

It is completely incomparable to academicians like Hao Yaoping.

So much so that after they saw that they were selected by Xu Lei to be responsible for the research and development of lasers, they felt somewhat guilty.

Although their expertise is indeed related to this field, they also know how difficult it is to create a laser that can emit ultraviolet light sources with shorter wavelengths. The three of them are actually responsible for such an important core component.

Even academicians don’t have the confidence!

I'm afraid it will be difficult to make any progress.

It would be embarrassing if the development speed of lasers cannot keep up with other components.

So out of this concern, after a few people entered the light source laboratory and closed the door, they took the initiative to give a few reminders.

"Xugong."

"A light source system consists of multiple subassemblies."

"We must also consider the wavelength power conversion rate and service life of the emitted light source."

"With the technical level we have now, it is really difficult to develop a light source that can meet the needs of top-level lithography machines."

As Ma Congming took the lead in speaking out his point of view, Hu Xing, who was next to him, quickly took up the conversation and echoed: "It's normal to want to prove one's strength, but I think we should be more cautious. What do you think, XCMG?"

Xu Lei knew very well what the two men wanted to express in their words.

In summary, it is believed that it is not enough to develop the light sources needed for top-level lithography machines, and the number of scientific researchers should be increased to stabilize it.

Xu Lei asked the two of them to be his assistants because they were the youngest among all R\u0026D personnel.

The working style at the Chinese Academy of Sciences has not been deeply affected.

In this way, they will only try their best to do what they are told, instead of questioning the technical knowledge they have mastered, otherwise it will inevitably affect the research and development progress.

After all, what Xu Lei wants to do is to strive to manufacture a top-level photolithography machine that can produce 1-nanometer chips in a short time. He does not have to be a teacher to answer other people's questions while working.

So it's normal for Ma Congming and Hu Xing to feel strange about this.

To obtain an extreme ultraviolet light source with a shorter wavelength, the method to be used is to irradiate high-power carbon dioxide laser pulses on a tin droplet target with a very small diameter to excite high-power plasma, which is used as the light source of the lithography machine.

The entire light source system requires devices such as high-power lasers, focusing and position-controlled vacuum vessels, droplet generator collectors, and metering modules.

The most critical technology is prepulsing and producing extremely small and stable tin droplets at high frequency.

Coupled with the collector, which is related to the service life of the light source device, the difficulty is indeed unimaginable.

But for Xu Lei, who has mastered all the core technologies, it is not too difficult to create a device that can meet these requirements.

Faced with this situation, it is obviously impossible to increase the number of scientific researchers.

However, in order to allow the two of them to cooperate with their work with peace of mind, Xu Lei finally said a few more words.

"I know all the issues you are worried about, but since I dare to make such personnel arrangements, there must be a reason."

"Believe me."

"It won't be long before you see mature extreme ultraviolet light source emission systems."

The words just fell.

Xu Lei turned around and walked towards the workbench, obviously not wanting to waste any more time on this issue.

Hearing these words, Ma Congming and Hu Xing looked at each other first, and then walked straight to the workbench like Xu Lei.

Because although they are worried that their research and development on light sources will not catch up with the progress of others, they do not want to be transferred away from the research and development project. After all, Xu Lei is the person in charge of the project anyway and has the right to make adjustments to the increase or decrease of developers. .

Anyway, in their opinion, when Xu Lei's research on the light source system reaches a bottleneck, he will definitely take the initiative to change it.

…

Compared to handling the company's business and concentrating on technical research, Xu Lei clearly felt that time seemed to pass faster.

More than ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

During these days, Xu Lei, with the assistance of Ma Congming and Hu Xing, finally completed the assembly of the laser.

Although this is just one device in the entire light source system, it has different meanings.

It marked their first successful step.

However, if you want to apply the laser to the light source system, you need to test its power wavelength and lifespan first to ensure that it can meet the needs of top lithography machines.

"XCMG, the laser is ready and testing can begin."

This morning.

Inside the light source laboratory.

When Ma Congming completed the installation and debugging of the laser, he immediately reported to Xu Lei.

Slight excitement can be heard in the words.

They also played a part in assembling this laser. Although they don't believe that the test data can reach overseas levels, as scientific researchers, it is always difficult to control the excitement in my heart at such times.

certainly.

Compared to the two of them, Xu Lei was obviously much calmer.

Seeing that Ma Congming was ready, he immediately gave the order to start the test.

"let's start."

After speaking, he did not forget to tell Hu Xing: "Hu Xing, pay attention to various data analysis."

"Don't worry, XCMG." Hearing this, Hu Xing quickly assured him and concentrated on staring at the computer screen.

Almost at the moment Xu Lei's voice sounded, Ma Congming immediately started the laser and fired the laser, and accurately hit the falling tin droplets, stimulating high-power plasma.

At the same time, various data will also be directly transmitted to the computer through the sensor for analysis and calculation.

Since the test also included the life span of the laser, the time required would definitely not be too short. It was not until Hu Xing's surprised voice sounded in the laboratory that the two of them came back to their senses and immediately cast inquiring glances.

"How's the data?"

"The laser developed by XCMG not only has a power far exceeding the standards of overseas high-end lithography machines, but the wavelength of the light source is also very short. You can see the detailed data for yourself."

When Hu Xing heard Ma Congming's words, he said these two simple sentences with a slightly trembling voice, and then handed the printed data file to the other party.

Ma Congming naturally did not dare to hesitate when he took the document, and quickly lowered his eyes to examine it carefully.

After seeing clearly the test results marked above, I could no longer suppress the excitement and shock in my heart, and my pupils were no less than a big earthquake.

Only then did he finally understand why Xu Lei only hired the two of them as assistants when facing such an important light source system.

Especially when I think about the doubts I had about Xu Lei before, I feel even more ashamed.

But at the same time, they also firmly believe that they will be able to develop a top-notch domestic photolithography machine this time.

After a pause of about ten seconds, he walked towards Xu Lei, handed over the data file and said in a deep voice: "Xugong, I really didn't expect you to have such in-depth research in this field. , please forgive me for questioning you earlier."

"This laser can achieve this effect, so it can be used in the light source system, right?" Seeing this scene, Hu Xing also asked with anticipation.

But after Xu Lei took the data file from Ma Congming and took a look at it, he shook his head and said: "It's not possible yet. This is only the first generation laser we have manufactured. It still needs to be optimized and debugged in many aspects before it can be truly put into use. .”

According to the data of this test, although it exceeds the lasers used by overseas high-end lithography machines, it can only produce chips with a maximum of 5 nanometer specifications.

It is still far away from the physical limit required by Xu Lei, and it requires multiple optimizations and debugging.

In addition, he could basically guess what Ma Congming wanted to say by just thinking about it with his toes, so there was no need to waste time here.

"Okay, our task next is very heavy. If you have any questions, please feel free to worry about it."

"It's XCMG."

Both of them understood the meaning of Xu Lei's words. After replying in unison, they immediately returned to work.

The enthusiasm at this moment has definitely doubled compared to the previous few days.

After all, after truly understanding Xu Lei's level, they knew how much being his assistant would improve themselves.

It is worth mentioning that Xu Lei’s achievements in lasers quickly reached the ears of every project developer, shocking almost everyone.

Even Hao Yaoping had to praise the genius from the bottom of his heart.

So in the following days, whenever everyone encountered problems in technology research and development, they would run to Xu Lei for advice.

It seems that Xu Lei is only responsible for the light source of the lithography machine for the time being, but in fact he is involved in every component.

Invisibly, it has greatly improved the research and development progress of domestic top-level lithography machines.

However, while the Chinese Academy of Sciences was in full swing to conquer the top lithography machine technology, Brady hurried to where Mike was in Washington.

I recommend a friend’s book, a chronicle, if you like it, you can read it.