From all-round academic master to chief scientist

"The host has completed the optimization according to the given ideas."

The sound of the system sound brought Lin Xiao back to his senses.

[Mechanical Overall Optimization Guidance] allows him to select a mechanical instrument and then optimize it as a whole.

At the same time, if he has his own ideas, he can optimize according to the given ideas while achieving the target function.

Of course, this idea must be reliable, and cannot be unreliable. If it is not reliable, the system will be optimized according to the default method. As for the default method, it is to not change the fixed logic and follow the formula of the mechanical instrument. The working logic is optimized.

For example, the working logic of an EUV lithography machine is to use extreme ultraviolet light, which is reflected by more than a dozen lenses, then passes through a photomask, and finally shines on a silicon wafer evenly coated with photoresist to perform exposure and etching. , manufacturing chips.

And if you switch to an X-ray light source, then X-rays are used. They don’t need to be reflected by dozens of lenses, and there is no need for a photomask. Instead, they only need to go through a polished crystal and use the X-ray diffraction effect. , thereby achieving magnification and reduction of X-rays.

X-rays can only use direct writing lithography, and cannot use projection lithography like EUV lithography machines. The main reason is that there is no lens in the world that can amplify and reduce X-rays, and the penetrability of X-rays too strong.

The wavelength of X-ray is lower than 10nm, even lower than 1nm, and this wavelength is extremely small. However, like the current lens materials, the gaps between molecules and atoms are large, and they will be transmitted directly through the atomic gaps, even if It is still inevitable that some will be absorbed, but the energy of the X-ray itself is large enough, so it can pass directly through it, so the current lens cannot condense and amplify through reflection.

This is why X-rays can be used to detect the internal conditions of the human body. That is, X-rays directly pass through a person's clothes, epidermis, and muscles. The atomic gaps in these structures are large enough to allow X-rays to pass through, and bones contain more The density of calcium and metal elements is relatively high, and the atomic gaps are relatively small, so X-rays cannot easily penetrate, but are absorbed by the metal elements, so the appearance of bones will appear on CT films.

Of course, X-rays are harmful to the human body for this reason. When they penetrate the human body, part of the energy will eventually be absorbed by the electrons of the internal atoms, perhaps by one of the electrons in the DNA double helix structure in a certain cell. The base pairs absorb the atoms, and the electrons inside the atoms transition, causing the base pairs to change, which in turn causes the DNA to mutate, and finally leads to its transformation into cancer cells. Of course, it doesn't matter if you take the film once or twice, because fewer cancer cells will be The immune cells are killed, and in those who stay for a long time, the number of cancerous cells in the body increases, and the immune system cannot keep up, so the number of cancer cells increases, forming cancer.

However, X-rays can be reflected internally due to crystal diffraction, thereby amplifying and reducing them, and then use this method to perform large-scale lithography.

Of course, this is something that others may find unbelievable.

The advantage of X-ray in the lithography machine is that it has almost no diffraction effect and good collimation, while other light is more likely to be diffracted. Even if an oxygen molecule floats by, other light will pass by. When, for example, when it passes between two oxygen atoms of this oxygen molecule, a similar situation such as single-slit diffraction will occur, resulting in the emergence of a diffraction effect, which ultimately affects the actual photolithography pattern.

This is why a vacuum must be maintained inside the lithography machine.

So if X-rays cannot be reflected by lenses, EUV light and the like would not be considered at all.

This is why diffraction is the natural enemy of lithography machines.

But now Lin Xiao's idea is to go in the opposite direction. Instead, he wants to use the diffraction effect to achieve his purpose.

Of course, what he has to do is control diffraction.

Well, now a problem arises.

"If you want to control diffraction, you must know why diffraction occurs! And what the rules of diffraction are."

Lin Xiao's eyes flashed slightly.

Physicists today can still only obtain some diffraction laws through experiments, such as single-slit diffraction, double-slit diffraction, circular hole diffraction, etc.

No one understands the specific cause of diffraction, and it remains an unsolved problem in physics.

And this problem involves wave diffraction.

The diffraction of waves can be divided into classical waves and light waves. Classic waves are caused by the tremor of particles colliding with each other due to the propagation of energy. The phenomenon of trajectory deflection occurs when hitting obstacles. The diffraction of light waves belongs to the category of quantum mechanics. It cannot be understood using traditional methods, but only through probability and statistics.

To clarify this problem, more and more complex calculations are needed. In addition, more powerful wisdom is required.

Because, this problem is facing [wave] directly!

This physics is full of mysterious fundamental elements.

What exactly is it?

Is it communication from different dimensions, or is it a string played by God?

Although Lin Xiao does not want to reveal the nature of waves, just a property of waves, he believes that this is a problem no less important than multi-dimensional field theory.

Thinking of this, Lin Xiao suddenly felt full of challenges.

"Well, it seems that there will be a lot for me to study in the next period of time."

It is equivalent to saying that he is now entering into theoretical research again.

And this is necessary.

Because if he didn't study this theory, he wouldn't know what kind of diffraction is required to control X-ray diffraction.

In this way, he does not know which crystal structure is most suitable. This means that he has to try his luck, experiment with various crystals, and then tentatively approach the final goal.

He doesn't like to take chances, so he has to start from the source.

"Well, we'll discuss this later. Let's first see what this optimized lithography machine looks like."

Instead of thinking about wave diffraction, he focused on optimization solutions.

"Open the optimized guidance plan."

As his order was issued, a brand new photolithography machine appeared in his mind.

X-ray lithography machine.

Its size is smaller because it does not have a complex optical path system, so this part of the structure is saved, while other main structures are still there.

However, the subtleties inside have undergone some changes.

This optimization is an overall optimization, and naturally every part has been optimized, including the arrangement of components and the use of space.

Lin Xiao was also amazed by these optimizations, especially this optimized structure, which also has a very important impact on accuracy.

The more streamlined the process, the smaller the errors and the higher the accuracy.

This optimized structure achieves the same effect with almost the least amount of materials.

This alone made Lin Xiao feel very satisfied.

If such a streamlined structure were shown to Dawson Edinson, he would probably be able to spend 100 million to buy it. After all, the simpler the structure, the more convenient and lower the production cost for them. Also, The production cycle is also shorter - which means a lot of money can be made.

Of course, selling to him was out of the question.

Doesn’t it smell good when you use it yourself?

Soon, I reviewed the entire optimized structure, and the next step was to notify everyone in Huaxin Alliance.

He got up and came outside the office.

"Professor Lin!"

When Luo Ming saw him coming out, he immediately shouted.

"Yes." Lin Xiao nodded and said, "Send a message to everyone in Huaxin Alliance. I need to hold an important meeting."

"Set the time...in two weeks, right here at the institute, and let them arrange for someone who can represent their company to come over."

"OK."

"Um."

Lin Xiao nodded slightly.

Two weeks should be enough for him to conduct a preliminary study on diffraction.

Now, they have been sanctioned again, and X-ray lithography machines have undoubtedly become a perfect way out.

Then he will have greater confidence in convincing these people.

"By the way, do me one more favor."

"You say."

"Investigate the current situation of that FBI undercover agent, Philip Meng's family."

"That undercover?" Luo Ming was stunned.

"Yes." Lin Xiao nodded.

In fact, he also wanted to transfer some money to Philip Meng's family every month, but he was worried that the FBI would find out if he transferred money from his Chinese account to his family, so this matter could only be postponed, at least until Let’s talk about this later.

But Luo Ming was a little confused as to why Lin Xiao did this.

Could it be that the undercover agent is related to Lin Xiao?

Luo Ming thought for a moment and was suddenly shocked.

Lin Xiao didn't go to receive the Wolf Prize. Was it because he was reminded?

Could it be...

The more Luo Ming thought about it, the more he felt it was possible.

In addition, Lin Xiao's doing this undoubtedly confirmed its authenticity.

He sighed slightly in his heart.

Although this is a peaceful time, there are still many people dying in corners.

I just hope that they will become stronger and stronger so that those little guys will not dare to move around anymore.

Shaking his head, he left the office.

…

One day later.

Dingguang Research Institute, in the physics laboratory.

Several simple physics experiments are being carried out here. Those who have studied physics in high school will basically watch the teacher demonstrate it.

They are small hole imaging, single slit diffraction, double slit diffraction, and round hole diffraction.

The image of a small hole is when a candle burns through a small hole and eventually forms an inverted candle flame on the wall.

Single-slit diffraction and double-slit diffraction are similar. As for round-hole diffraction and pinhole imaging, they are both a hole. However, the light source of the former uses a plane light source. Unlike the light source of pinhole imaging, which has a different appearance, round-hole diffraction You can do it at home. Find a piece of opaque paper like tinfoil, poke a hole with a toothpick, and then turn on the flashlight of your mobile phone to see the diffraction phenomenon of the round hole.

Of course, even though the principles of the physical experiments that can be performed in this laboratory are simple, the preparation is not simple at all.

There are various measuring instruments nearby, such as the detection of light intensity, and the detection of the precise distance of small holes and gaps. The plane used for imaging is actually covered with various sensors, which can Used to detect the wavelength of imaging light.

The wavelength of their light source is known, and in this way, they can see whether the wavelength of the light changes when it is diffracted.

Of course, past experiments have proven that no change will occur, and this is just a guaranteed solution.

The wavelength multiplied by the frequency is equal to the speed of light, so with the wavelength, the frequency can be calculated. As for how to understand that the wavelength multiplied by the frequency is equal to the speed of light, it can be understood as the distance of each step and the steps taken per second when a person walks. Number, multiplied by the two is equal to the walking speed. Of course, this is from a macro perspective, but from a micro perspective, you can write a paper of more than 100 pages.

"Professor Lin, look, what should we do now?"

In the laboratory, several intern researchers asked.

These intern researchers were all recruited as researchers after the institute was officially established. There are now many intern researchers in the institute, all newly recruited, and there are now about twenty people.

Of course, there are also many formal researchers. Basically, Lin Xiao recruited them from domestic universities or other research institutions. Of course, some of them came here because of their reputation and then joined.

After all, for a relatively large research institute like theirs, there must be enough people.

Of course, those who can join are very good in terms of basic abilities. At least one of these intern researchers has a paper published in the top journals in their respective fields, and now they are mainly in two laboratories: chemistry and physics. Therefore, these intern researchers must have strong hands-on skills.

And these current intern researchers basically have a paper in "Physical Review Letters", or in "Science" or "Nature".

Of course, although they all had many achievements, they still showed great respect on their faces when facing Lin Xiao, who was younger than them all by an unknown number of years.

After all, this is a Wolf Double Award winner.

Although Lin Xiao gave up to receive the award, this honor was still attributed to him. Even because he gave up to receive the award, this name became more known to the public.

At this time, Lin Xiao was not in a hurry to answer their questions, but was sitting in front of a computer, holding a piece of paper and calculating something.

【ψ(r)=∮dψ(r,r`)】

"Well, the Huygens-Fresnel diffraction formula is derived from the wave equation."

"There are also Fraunhofer diffraction models and Fresnel diffraction models..."

He raised his eyebrows and used these various diffraction formulas to deduce the diffraction phenomena in front of him.

While looking at the experimental results in front of me, he looked down at his formula.

When the other intern researchers saw Lin Xiao thinking seriously, they all became quiet and did not disturb him. However, they all walked over curiously to see what Lin Xiao was researching.

Well, they all know these formulas and models.

They can also deduce it like Lin Xiao did.

But, what was Lin Xiao doing staring at these formulas?