Chapter 1673 The Focus of Human Development

A few days later, a new issue of the Journal of the Chinese Academy of Sciences was quietly published.

On its catalog page, an article signed only by the "Southwest Institute of Nuclear Physics" appears particularly out of place.

If someone clicks on the corresponding link, they will find that the author column of this article is densely packed with more than fifty names, occupying two pages.

However, the main text is surprisingly short.

It was only half a page, containing a clear, but declassified, diagram of the HL2A device's control terminal operating data, and four concluding statements:

Using the HL2A tokamak, the Southwest Institute of Nuclear Physics (SIP) successfully maintained a stable H-mode circulating plasma with a core temperature exceeding 5200 million degrees Celsius for 4175 seconds. The entire energy confinement period of the experiment met the characteristics of a highly confined (H-mode) plasma.

Measurements and analysis confirmed that the device achieved a net positive energy gain (Q>1). This experimental result lays an important physical and engineering foundation for the future engineering utilization of fusion energy.

Gone.

Although its form is more like an official announcement than a rigorous academic paper, and although all key details such as heating power, magnetic field strength, plasma density profile, specific Q value, diagnostic methods, etc. are strictly hidden, the amount of information contained in these few words has still caused a huge wave in the originally calm community of plasma physics.

4175 seconds!

Over 69 minutes of steady-state high-constraint mode operation!

Core temperature of 5200 million degrees Celsius!

Net energy gain!

Any single piece of data is enough to be published in a top journal, let alone they all appear simultaneously in an experiment based on the modification of old equipment.

The one that was hit the hardest was naturally HL2A's former owner, the Max Planck Institute for Physics in Garching, Germany.

……

Frank Chanin, President of the Max Planck Society, hurriedly pushed open the office door of Professor Hubert Franz, head of the ASDEX Upgrade facility, holding a few thin A4 papers in his hand.

"Professor Franz, take a look at this!" The former placed the printed paper on the desk piled with documents and spoke so fast that he almost took off. "Just published in the Journal of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 5200 million c, 4175 seconds..."

Franz looked up from the computer screen and his eyes fell on the page, his expression showing no surprise.

"Yes, Mr. Channing, I have also seen this... notice."

Although it was published in an academic journal, he was still reluctant to call it a paper.

But Channing didn't bother to delve into the details. Seeing that Franz had already read it, he directly asked about the part he was most concerned about:

"Do you think... is this possible? Could this be fake news released by the Chinese?"

Faced with this seemingly simple question, the latter's face showed some struggle.

"What we know so far has clearly been highly declassified..." Franz shook his head. "Aside from the timestamp and temperature indication shown in this terminal screenshot, along with the concluding text, there are no specific technical parameters or diagnostic details available for peer review."

Obviously, the professor was reluctant to give a clear answer.

But Channing was a bit relentless. "But wasn't this HL2A facility the product of the Chinese who bought the ASDEX equipment from us and then renovated it using the three major components of ASDEX as its core?"

This question obviously touched Franz's sore spot -

The ASDEX Upgrade he currently manages is a fully upgraded model of ASDEX. However, the Max Planck Institute's research progress in tokamak has undoubtedly lagged behind that of the Southwest Institute of Physics, which uses the previous generation of facilities.

Therefore, Franz did not speak, but just nodded slightly.

"Then the Max Planck Institute, especially Doctor, you should be very familiar with this device based on its original design." Channing's tone was still anxious, even a little flustered. "Under optimal conditions, what can it theoretically achieve?"

Franz put down the printout, leaned back in his chair, and shook his head helplessly:

"Mr. Chairman, I must correct a common misunderstanding."

He was actually a little impatient, but the other party was one of the managers of the entire Max Planck Society after all, so he had to patiently explain:

"The subsequent renovation and upgrade of the ASDEX device purchased by China could perhaps be more accurately described as 'reconstruction'... They invested an incredible amount of resources and engineering effort. As far as I know, the original vacuum chamber was completely replaced with an all-tungsten divertor structure, and the cooling, heating, and diagnostic systems were all completely upgraded."

"It's fair to say that the physics core and engineering capabilities of HL2A today are incomparable to those of ASDEX back then. I know no more about it than anyone else."

"So what about the theoretical limit?" Channing pressed. "Excluding any possible exaggeration by the Chinese, purely from a physics and engineering perspective, based on their publicly disclosed modification plans, such as the all-tungsten first wall, what do you think the HL2A's limit is? Is the 4175 seconds mentioned in this report within the realm of possibility?"

Franz scratched his head in annoyance.

"Theoretical limit... in the field of magnetic confinement fusion, that's a very vague concept, Frank."

"Our models are far from perfect. Plasma behavior is rife with chaos and nonlinearities, especially at high parameters, such as edge localized modes and macroscopic instabilities. Predictions are extremely difficult. Whether it's a tokamak or a stellarator, their operation is far from reaching this so-called upper limit."

Having said that, he still operated the mouse, opened a project file, and turned the monitor to face Channing.

Above are the relevant data of ASDEX facilities.

"If we only consider the endurance of the 'three major components' themselves, without considering the difficulty of plasma control, the original ASDEX design specifications can theoretically support a plasma core temperature of around 5000 million degrees Celsius for approximately 2500 to 3000 seconds."

Hearing this result, Channing's mouth corners finally twitched upwards, as if he was about to smile.

However, Franz changed the subject:

"But the Chinese have already mastered all-tungsten divertor technology, so the actual situation is definitely far better than the data we have here... If we refer to the performance of the French Tore Supra after it was upgraded to WEST, the simple change in vacuum chamber material more than doubled its long-pulse operating capability..."

Whether out of rigor or a unwillingness to admit defeat, he is still unwilling to give a clear conclusion.

But Channing was already losing his composure. "So, the news released by China might actually be true?"

"Ah..." Franz sighed, finally giving up the argument and admitting, "Frankly, I can't make up my mind either."

"From experience, it's highly unlikely that this kind of publicly published information is completely fabricated. At most, they're playing some pun, like extending the plasma's duration by lowering its core temperature... But the Chinese side has clearly stated the two key values of 5200 million degrees Celsius and 4175 seconds, effectively closing the loophole."

"But on the other hand, 4175 seconds... this number is so exaggerated that I even suspected that the Chinese had misprinted a digit... In short, it should have already approached the limit of HL2A... or any existing tokamak facility. But as I said just now, this is beyond the reach of current human technology."

Channing stood up again, paced back and forth in the office, then suddenly stopped and looked at Franz sharply:

"So... if the Chinese are truly successful, and they are advancing rapidly... what can we, or rather, Europe, do to... slow down their progress?"

"Why delay?" Franz rolled his eyes. "Even if we don't consider the issue from the perspective of all humanity, the breakthroughs made by our Chinese counterparts will indirectly increase the attention of academia and capital to the fusion industry..."

He closed the project file on the computer screen and opened his email:

"In just the past two days, IPP has received over 30 formal sponsorship inquiries from industry and private foundations... This is obviously good news for the entire fusion industry. We can finally stop being mocked for 'being 50 years away from application.'"

Channing was choked by Franz's reaction, and a trace of embarrassment flashed across his face.

"Hubert, calm down." He tried to bring the two closer, then changed the subject. "Of course I understand that science has no borders. But the reality is complicated... In the ITER project, is it possible for us to reassess China's participation? Or even... consider some form of restrictions?"

In his opinion, or that of most people, China's breakthrough must be related to its participation in the ITER research project.

But Franz is a true insider and knows very well that the current situation is that ITER needs China more than China needs ITER.

He finally couldn't stand it anymore, slammed the table angrily, and stood up:

"In the ITER project, China is responsible for the manufacturing of crucial components... Without their supply chain, ITER's construction schedule will be delayed indefinitely and costs will soar to unbearable levels. Furthermore, key support facilities in France and the Netherlands are all deeply tied to China and cannot be severed at all!"

For a moment, the office fell into suffocating silence.

After a roar, Franz sat back in his chair and rubbed his brow tiredly.

"Frank," he spoke again, his voice much lower than before. "I understand that you hold the title of Chief Scientific Advisor in Berlin... and are interested in entering politics through this position."

Channing, whose thoughts were exposed, was a little embarrassed and his facial muscles trembled noticeably.

But Franz continued as if he had not seen anything:

"Of course, everyone can have their own personal pursuits, but as a scholar, I must kindly remind you... of the forces behind you."

"The center of gravity of world technological development, and indeed of human civilization, is undergoing a silent yet irreversible shift... Perhaps it's too early to say it's already reached East Asia, as China still seems to have resolved its semiconductor crisis... But at the very least, it has shifted from North America to the center of the Pacific."

"And if Berlin continues to tie itself tightly to Washington's shaky and directionless chariot and turns a blind eye to the clear trend of change before its eyes, then..."

He paused, then deliberately slowed down and spoke word by word:

"You have to weigh the risks involved carefully..."