Spark

On the other side of the sea, in the turret office.

Today Bob is no longer alone, sitting opposite him is the newly formed quantum computing team.

These people come from different quantum computing research and development teams such as MIT, Caltec, IBM, etc., and their own directions and progress are actually different, but under the intervention of the big hand of national administrative power, they finally gathered together.

In fact, Bob is not happy about such interventions, and he is, to some extent, a staunch liberal.

But do you have any other choice?

Huaxia's Spark has verified the superiority of highly organized and highly centralized groups in technology research and development. No matter how much they attack and slander, they must admit the advanced nature of their achievements.

So, here comes the irony:

If you want to surpass them, you must at least become them first.

It might seem like a less than rosy start, but at least it works.

The phased results achieved by the group are the best evidence:

In the one month since its formation, the group has made more progress in their experiment than they would have done in three months if they had each experimented individually.

And today is the day they report to the "sponsor", or "investor".

"...so overall, the project is moving a lot faster than we expected."

"In the past few years, due to the deterioration of the economic environment and the international environment, our research in the field of quantum computing has actually basically stagnated, but now, these researches have been restarted."

"And the research after the restart also quickly demonstrated its value."

"With the joint efforts of many parties, we have jointly developed a standard framework for quantum computing, which is the NIST Quantum Computing Roadmap."

"In this road map, we have included content in multiple fields including qubit experiments, quantum gate operations, quantum error correction, and more."

"Afterwards, we will continue to update and revise this roadmap to ensure the accuracy of the road map and ensure its strong reference for the development of the entire quantum computing project."

"This road map is not key confidential information, so it can be made public --- and after it is made public, its guiding significance to the entire academic community will be quickly reflected. In theory, with this road map, we can establish leadership in quantum computing."

"Needless to say, it has a strong impetus for attracting talent and attracting investment."

Hearing what the reporter Davis said, Bob nodded slightly, and then gave a rare gentle encouragement:

"Very good, although I don't know the specific technology, but I know how much guiding significance a macro strategy has."

"You can give priority to solving this problem, which shows that you have a very clear understanding of the work you are doing. This alone has been able to gain my trust."

Hearing this, not only Davis, but other researchers in the office also breathed a sigh of relief.

In fact, this is not the first time they have dealt with the military, and they shouldn't be too nervous.

But the problem is, Bob's reputation is a bit too bad

Moody, cold and serious, cruel and decisive. There are even rumors that he once personally dealt with the head of a certain department in the team without any punishment.

Such a person, what kind of height has his power and ability reached?

The project is linked to his sponsor, will one day, I don't even know what made him dissatisfied, and I will be silently dealt with?

This was the common concern of everyone before coming to this office, but now, judging from Bob's reaction, he doesn't seem to be as scary as the legend says.

"Thank you for your affirmation, this is very important to us."

Davis answered quickly.

On the other side, Bob nodded slightly and continued to ask:

"Is there any specific progress?"

"have."

"Caltech and UCSB's JM Laboratory have made a breakthrough in superconducting qubits, successfully extending the quantum coherence time and significantly reducing the decoherence rate of qubits. This breakthrough should be said to be a longer time for superconducting quantum systems. The calculation and operation of the foundation laid the foundation."

"At the same time, the JM laboratory has also improved the accuracy and stability of the quantum gate operation-I don't think I need to introduce you to the specific technical details in detail, after all, those details are indeed only understood by scholars in related fields. "

"However, to put it simply, we have completed the foundation construction of the superconducting quantum computer, and the next step is to start actual manufacturing and performance tests."

"very good."

Bob nodded, but then asked:

"Superconducting quantum computing technology. Judging from the name, it seems to be related to superconductors."

"Don't we need superconductors? Isn't this something only Huaxia has mastered?"

Davis shook his head and replied:

"What they have mastered is room-temperature superconductors, and we use low-temperature superconductors—but in fact, in this regard, the advantages of room-temperature superconductors are not great."

"Because, even if they use room temperature superconductors, they need to keep the entire superconducting circuit at a low temperature."

"This is not to ensure superconducting properties, but to reduce environmental noise and extend the quantum decoherence time."

"In general, it's nice to have room-temperature superconductivity, but if you don't, that's okay too."

Hearing this, Bob let out a long sigh of relief.

It seems that his choice is correct.

When the whole world is fighting for the so-called "metal hydrogen application technology" thrown out by China, and even put down the dignity and bottom line of a big country, our side has found another way -- well, of course, our side has made some efforts , but unlike other countries, after being rejected by Huaxia, it is not that there is no other way for one's own side to go.

Now, isn't the road just around the corner?

In this world, who dares to say that quantum computing is not as meaningful as room temperature superconductors?

Even if there are some gaps, the gap is not big, right?

And it is such a coincidence that the two "evenly matched" technologies happen to have no overlap.

This is an opportunity God gave the United States, an opportunity to achieve overtaking in a corner and use an asymmetric strategy to run ahead of China again.

"It would be great"

Bob's voice was more cheerful, he even stood up, patted Davis on the shoulder and said:

"You guys are doing great."

"Once this project achieves the expected progress and results, the eyes of the whole world will be on you."

"You will be heroes of the United States, and your names will even appear in every history book!"

With a genuine smile on Davis' face, he thanked Bob for his encouragement.

But behind the sincerity of this smile, there is still a trace of imperceptible bitterness hidden.

Can our quantum computing really run ahead of the other party?

That's a room temperature superconductor.

Perhaps, they will leave us far behind at a faster speed.

After the members of the Quantum Computing Team, or AQCL, left, Bob relaxed on the couch.

The assistant on the opposite side was holding a thick stack of documents, all of which were information about China's normal-temperature superconducting application technology and the reactions of various countries.

In just one week, the United States can be said to have experienced the largest "betrayal" since this century-of course, perhaps this cannot be called a betrayal. After all, getting along between the two countries is not about talking about love. You can't ask the other party to stay by your side because of the so-called "friendship" when they obviously have more choices?

But of course, for these countries, the United States also pulled the list.

It's not for settling accounts after the autumn, but for monitoring and management. When the time is right, I will find a way to squeeze something out of their hands

Watching Bob open his eyes and sit up straight again, the assistant took the opportunity to say:

"The current situation is relatively clear. Judging from the 'quotation information' of various countries, Russia still has the greatest advantage."

"But unlike our previous speculation, Qatar's conditions are extremely aggressive, and the share they may eventually get may be more than anyone guessed."

Hearing this, Bob shook his head helplessly, and then asked:

"So Huaxia really intends to build a new metal hydrogen plant in Qatar? This strategy sounds unreliable, and the risk of technology leakage is too high."

"This is officially Qatar's cleverness - the conditions they provided are actually to create an excellent confidentiality condition for China."

"They are not eager to acquire metal hydrogen-related technologies immediately. On the contrary, they are looking at future benefits."

"Normal temperature superconducting technology is of great significance to human beings. Even China, after occupying a huge dominant position, cannot block this technology for a long time."

"The most likely scenario is that after they are gradually proficient in using this technology and have a scale in the country, they will start to lift the ban."

"At that time, other countries will only get the initial technology itself, but what they may get in Qatar is a mature production line directly."

"To be honest, such a reward, even for us, is quite generous. It's a pity that we can't make such an exchange."

"of course."

Bob frowned slightly, feeling a little disapproving.

——

He is a typical profit-oriented writer. In fact, he does not have so many psychological obstacles to this issue.

Isn't the essence of exchange? Qatar used "partial sovereignty" to exchange, so can't it be done by itself?

It's a pity that Nan Dao's action is still too early. If you bear with it, maybe then is the best time to exchange.

But now, it's useless to say anything.

So he opened his mouth and asked:

"Are there any other viable exchange strategies? Like technology for technology?"

"In terms of nuclear fusion, Huaxia has already started researching first-wall materials. Can we use this technology to exchange room temperature superconductor technology with them?"

"It's impossible, the importance of the two is not the same order of magnitude."

“Qatar’s sovereignty is not on the same order of magnitude as metal hydrogen — what’s the point of having an enclave there after the fossil fuel age is over?”

"Or to be more straightforward, the entire Middle East will become an abandoned place in the future."

"But what they are really exchanging is not sovereignty, but a certificate of vote."

".Understood."

Bob nodded helplessly, then asked:

"What about other directions of negotiation? How is the situation now?"

The assistant replied:

"All departments are discussing, but in the near future, I am afraid that there is not much progress."

"Then think about it more. In short, we must not allow the situation to deteriorate."

Bob's voice was a little low. During this long period of time, he had gradually understood the reason why Huaxia quickly caught up with his motherland and gradually surpassed it.

But in the end, he still couldn't accept it.

This feeling is indescribable, as if a nerd who was often suppressed and bullied in my student days suddenly took off his clothes one day, revealing his muscles all over his body.

——

No, it's not showing the muscles all over the body, it's showing the red underwear worn outside the blue coat

The former technological bully has become the bullied. Such a role change is probably a pain that every decision-maker in this country has to go through.

A few days later, the Xinghuo team once again received a communication request from across the ocean.

After the large-scale release of plasma technology and the rapid development of the EAST project, this is the third time that we have received a letter from the other party.

And in the letters, the wording they used became more and more cautious each time, and the conditions they proposed became more generous each time.

"Is it time to close the net?"

In the office, Chen Nian looked at Chen Guo curiously and asked.

Chen Guo on the opposite side shook her head and replied:

"It's not time to close the net yet."

"Look at the quid pro quo they proposed, they are mainly concentrated in the fields of agriculture, energy, microelectronics and semiconductors."

"Although it seems very sincere, in fact, these are the first problems that will be solved after the large-scale application of room temperature superconducting materials."

"In other words, they actually know what we need and what we don't need, but they are constantly testing our bottom line."

"It's a bargaining process—since they're not in a hurry, then we'll just keep hanging."

"When did NASA come forward, and when will this matter be truly discussed."

"clear."

Chen Nian nodded slightly, while Chen Guo couldn't help feeling a little emotional.

In fact, shortly after the start of the EAST project, the higher-ups had already made a strategy of using this technological advantage to force the US to hand over the core aerospace technology mastered by NASA.

The reason is very simple. This is probably the most valuable technology in the hands of the United States and the most difficult technology for China to obtain.

If it can be obtained through exchange, it must be a huge benefit for Huaxia—after all, the country is too big, and there are too many fields that need to be broken through. read.

But to put it simply, it is not easy to achieve this step.

You must know that in the past, Huaxia was completely backward in the high-tech field, and faced with a suffocating technological blockade, it was extremely difficult to obtain some new things.

At that time, Huaxia could be said to be no different from a garbage picker. What to eat, no matter what field it was, we had to do it first.

This also caused many people to have an illusion, that is: Huaxia seems to be able to do everything, and to be the best at everything.

As long as one thing is not done well, there must be a big problem.

But in fact, how many countries in this world can reach the level of China?

The answer is none.

Chen Guo sighed lightly, with a meaningful smile on his face.

He looked at Chen Nian and said:

"It's interesting to think about it—the role you really play is far more than the technology itself."

"In the past, in the field of technology, we were desperate to learn and strive for what others gave us, and we wanted what others gave."

"But now since you came, things have changed."

"Now, what we want, others have to give. Otherwise, we will be kicked out of the game."