After several days of busy work, everyone finally solved the problem with the laser device. This way, most of the structure of the spherical tokamak device has been completed.
Unlike the previous ring-shaped tokamak device weighing tens of thousands of tons with a diameter of several hundred meters, this spherical tokamak device has a diameter of less than thirty meters.
If such a diameter can successfully control nuclear fusion, it could be installed in large military weapons or engineering equipment!
"Let’s do another equipment verification, and in three days, we’re ready to ignite our artificial sun!" He Xingzhou said.
Three days passed quickly.
During this time, the team readjusted and inspected the spherical tokamak device to confirm there were no issues.
And today, they will ignite this little artificial sun!
This event has attracted nationwide attention, with news media rushing in, asking for tours and reports. Countless people are watching controlled nuclear fusion technology.
"Academician He Xingzhou leads the team, on the verge of breaking through controlled nuclear fusion technology? Stay tuned to today’s news for the latest information!"
"The artificial little sun will be ignited today!"
"The most meaningful technology for human civilization will begin experimentation today!" Everywhere on the internet, there are similar reports.
However, He Xingzhou didn’t start the live broadcast this time because with controlled nuclear fusion technology, he couldn’t guarantee a one-time success.
The theory of nuclear fusion was known to people last century, but really mastering it is as hard as climbing to the sky.
Even if all processes are according to the design, new problems can still arise.
In the control center, He Xingzhou, Kong Qing, Duan Bingzhen, and He Xingzhou’s teacher, Zhang Boyan, Dong Chen, Cai Hao, and others are all present, with more than a hundred atomic energy and nuclear physics experts here.
Additionally, the number of personnel involved in this project exceeds hundreds of thousands! They are also awaiting the experiment results.
"Final inspection, report the status of the device!" He Xingzhou shouted.
"Reporting, inspection completed, the device is all good." The inspector reported.
"Good!" He Xingzhou said, "Now begin the countdown, three minutes to ignite the artificial sun!"
Everyone quieted down, in the control center, only the sounds of people operating the Quantum Computer remained.
Outside, the media was also paying attention to and reporting on the current situation.
"Countdown, ten seconds." He Xingzhou began the countdown, his voice becoming heavier.
Kong Qing straightened his back, eyes fixed on the holographic screen.
"Eight!" Zhang Boyan’s mood involuntarily tensed.
"Seven!" Dong Chen and Cai Hao held their breaths, not daring to breathe, as if afraid it would affect the experimental process.
"Six!" Duan Bingzhen and the researchers’ hearts rose to their throats.
"Five!" The media workers outside seemed as if hit by a freezing spell, motionless.
"Four, three, two, one, ignition!" He Xingzhou’s steady and booming voice echoed in the command center.
The AI system’s electronic voice sounded: "Activate the laser transmitter, begin the ignition!"
They couldn’t see the situation inside the device, but the computer could simulate the reaction scene through instrument data.
The center of the spherical tokamak device was the neutron reaction chamber.
Hundreds of laser transmitters simultaneously activated, high-energy lasers focusing on the target at the center, where the Deuterium and tritium nuclear fusion materials were housed.
Particle collisions generated scorching high temperatures! On a time scale imperceptible to humans, the temperature at the target point exceeded a hundred million degrees Celsius!
At this moment, the temperature here rivals the core of the true Sun!
"Temperature has exceeded a hundred million degrees Celsius!" The AI system reported the status.
Everyone grew increasingly tense, Duan Bingzhen whispered, "This is the moment that tests our high-temperature, high-pressure superconducting materials on the inner wall!"
"In previous experiments, the inner wall was melted!"
Though they used magnetic confinement to control the reactor, the inner wall of the container didn’t directly contact the high temperature of a hundred million degrees, but such close proximity still posed a severe test to the inner wall’s high-temperature resilience!
At this point, the nuclear fusion reaction has begun!
The nuclear materials are heated into countless particles by ultra-high temperatures, impacting the isolation layer.
The divertor filters the charged particles from the outer shell into a separate reaction chamber, hitting the baffle plate and becoming neutral particles that are drawn away.
Meanwhile, a large number of neutrons escape and strike the inner wall, once again testing the inner wall’s performance. The cooling system has started its function, continuously cooling the inner wall, preventing it from being melted through by high temperatures!
High-temperature plasma has appeared in the magnetic field!
Through the thermoelectric conversion device, nuclear fusion energy is being output!
The ammeter displays the energy output soaring linearly.
"Current energy gain value 3.7, 4.6..." The energy output display continues rising. Reaching 20 means this nuclear fusion reactor can more or less meet the basic requirements for commercial power generation.
With the increase of time, the energy output continues rising.
"Q value reached 20!" When the energy gain value reached twenty, everyone was already faintly excited.
"It’s 40!" Dong Chen shouted.
"Q value exceeds fifty!" Zhang Boyan’s expression was elated.
"Discharge time has exceeded 60 minutes, surpassing any previous human nuclear fusion experiment!" Duan Bingzhen clenched his fist, he already saw the dawn of victory!
Outside, media reporters were still asking.
"Is it successful now?"
"Cannot say it’s successful yet!" The researchers said, "We need to see if continuous discharge can stabilize; if it stays stable, then we have succeeded!"