1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 510 Heisenberg's defense is frustrated! Ridgway takes action! The first application of quantum theory! Sodium lamp!

After instructing de Broglie, Ridgway left France and continued his travels.

In early May, visited Belgium.

Ridgeway was warmly received by King Albert I of Belgium.

The two sides reached further consensus on mineral cooperation in Africa.

Albert I highly praised the great achievements made by Sunward Industrial Group in the field of mineral mining.

He even announced loudly: "Professor Bruce is a good friend of the Belgian people forever."

Li Qiwei said: "Belgium, under the leadership of King Albert, will definitely dominate Europe."

The host and guest enjoyed themselves.

Then, Li Qiwei was invited to visit Solvay Soda Manufacturing Company.

He met Hou Debang, who had been doing internship for more than half a year.

The other person's face was full of excitement.

With the recommendation of Li Qiwei, Hou Debang came to Solvival Alkali Company to study.

Everything here opened his eyes.

He studied various chemical knowledge day and night.

"Professor Bruce, I am confident that I can return to China and start China's chemical industry system!"

Looking at Hou Debang who was so confident, Li Qiwei patted him on the shoulder heavily.

"Well done!"

"Take your time. Don't rush."

After visiting the company, Li Qiwei came to Solvay's home alone.

Solvay, who is 84 years old this year, fell ill in bed.

This science-obsessed entrepreneur is about to reach the end of his life.

Arranged by his brother, Li Qiwei had a final meeting with Solvay.

Solvi held on and said:

"Bruce, I miss the days after I met you."

"Nowadays, in the Belgian scientific community, everyone knows my name, Ernest Solvay."

"Alas, it's a pity that your fame is getting bigger and bigger. Later on, I was too embarrassed to look for you."

Li Qiwei listened quietly to the old man's memories.

When he was still weak in the early stage, Solvay gave him a lot of help.

Although this old man is very scheming in business, he has only pure admiration and support for Li Qiwei.

The other person is someone who truly loves science.

At this time, Solvay said:
"That young man named Hou Debang is a quick learner."

"It won't be long before he learns all the methods I have invented for making alkali."

"By then, your Chinese alkali industry should develop rapidly."

amount.

Li Qiwei was a little embarrassed for a moment.

This kid Hou Debang doesn't hide anything at all.

Being exposed in front of others, even though Li Qiwei was thick-skinned, he still felt a little embarrassed.

However, before he could speak, Solvay continued:

"Bruce, if it was anyone else, I would never have disclosed the company's core secrets."

"But I don't want to hold anything back from you."

"What you bring to me is far greater than what I can give back."

"And Hou Debang is a very capable guy. I can feel that he is very ambitious and smart."

"His achievements in the field of alkali production in the future will definitely surpass mine."

Li Qiwei was deeply touched when he heard this.

In real history, Solvay valued his secret recipe for making alkali more than anything else.

It is absolutely impossible to share it with others.

Hou Debang took great pains to figure out the recipe.

But now, after Hou Debang obtained the alkali production method more quickly, his research and development process will be greatly accelerated.

China's chemical industry system will also develop at an accelerated pace.

From this point of view, Solvay has made contributions to China.

Therefore, Li Qiwei said solemnly:

"Thank you, Solvay."

Solvi took one last look at Li Qiwei and said to himself:
"I envy you so much, Bruce."

"."

His words became quieter and quieter, and Li Qiwei could no longer hear them clearly.

But there was always a satisfied smile on his face.

The next day, Solvay died.

Li Qiwei attended the other party's funeral in a low-key manner.

After instructing Hou Debang on relevant matters, Li Qiwei left Belgium.

In mid-May, visit the Netherlands.

Queen Wilhelmina cordially invited Ridgeway.

The 40-year-old Queen looked a little melancholy and lonely, and her eyes were full of affection when she talked to Li Qiwei.

Li Qiwei was so scared that he quickly got down to business.

"Your Majesty, I would like to discuss the investment and development of Kalimantan with your country."

Queen Wilhelmina chuckled and regained her composure.

With her mediation, Li Qiwei and the Dutch government reached a cooperative consensus on the development of southern Kalimantan.

Shanhe Industrial Group will be allowed to carry out commercial land development and investment within the Dutch colonies.

At this point, Li Qiwei's influence will reach the entire island of Kalimantan.

Under his orders, factories sprang up one after another, transforming this land that would belong to the city of science in the future.

In late May, Li Qiwei arrived in Germany.

I don’t know how many times he has visited.

Wien, Einstein, Nernst, Laue, Born, Haber, Sommerfeld
Many German physicists held a grand welcoming ceremony for Ridgway.

With Planck's help, Ridgway came into contact with the German government.

The two sides discussed a lot of topics, from the International Scientists Union to the scientific research cooperation between the two countries.

Finally, Ridgway went to Munich to visit Professor Roentgen.

The other party is bedridden and seriously ill. He is unlikely to survive beyond next year.

Roentgen didn't even recognize Ridgewi anymore.

Li Qiwei suddenly felt a little sad.

How much he wanted to let these physics giants see the ultimate brilliance of physics with their own eyes.

Sommerfeld, who accompanied him, saw that Li Qiwei was in a low mood.

So he proposed:
"Bruce, I have several doctoral students who are about to defend their dissertations."

"I would like to invite you to serve as a review professor on the defense committee."

"Give those little guys some strength."

"Are you interested?"

Li Qiwei was slightly stunned when he heard this.

Of course he knew Sommerfeld's good intentions.

The situations of Solvay and Roentgen have made him a little uninterested recently.

He really needs to relax and adjust himself.

Instead of feeling sad, it is better to try your best to conquer the theory of everything in your lifetime.

Once successful, all physicists from ancient times to the present will have no regrets.
-
University of Munich.

A thrilling doctoral defense is about to begin.

Inside the room, Heisenberg and two others sat in the back row, their eyes fixed on the figure in front of them, their emotions fluctuating.

He never expected that his supervisor would invite Professor Bruce to be the review professor.

"If I don't perform well, I'm afraid Professor Bruce will be disappointed."

The introverted Heisenberg had begun to consume himself.

He always feels that his strength is not enough.

After all, senior brother Pauli is now a physicist who can communicate everywhere.

And he can only hang around in school.

The two doctoral students next to him were even more nervous than Heisenberg.

After all, Heisenberg was a super genius who was envied by everyone and a silver medalist in the International Mathematical Olympiad. He was much better than them.

In addition to Li Qiwei, the members of the defense committee also include Wayne, who is now also a professor at the University of Munich.

Wien was a big shot in experimental physics, which complemented Sommerfeld, who was good at theory.

At this moment, Li Qiwei was chatting and laughing with several professors including Sommerfeld and Wien.

He just found out that Heisenberg was also on the defense list.

His interest grew.

In real history, Heisenberg was asked very harsh questions by Professor Wien during his doctoral defense.

Soon, Sommerfeld came to the front and announced the official start of the defense.

The first one to come on stage was Hans.

The guy looked nervous.

His research topic was on crystal diffraction, which was the achievement for which Laue won the Nobel Prize.

"Um, well, my innovation is to apply the concept of energy levels to the entire crystal."

"Observing the effects of electric fields on energy levels in a crystal."

"."

After Hans finished talking about his research, the reviewing professors began to ask questions.

After everyone else, Li Qiwei also briefly asked a novel question.

This made Hans so anxious that he was sweating profusely.

He racked his brains and finally found the answer.

In the end, he passed the defense successfully.

At that moment, Hans was as happy as a child.

When Heisenberg saw this situation, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Because he felt that the questions raised by Professor Bruce were very simple.

Heisenberg felt that he was back to normal.

The second person to come on stage was Lenz.

Li Qiwei was a little surprised when he heard the name.

I don’t know if this young man has any relationship with the historical Lenz.

Lenz performed better. He also passed the defense successfully.

Soon, it was Heisenberg's turn.

He took a deep breath and walked up to the podium.

Heisenberg first bowed solemnly to all the professors on the defense committee.

Then, he went straight into explaining his doctoral research:
“My topic is about stability and turbulence of fluid flow.”

“I proposed a completely new computational model”

"."

Although Heisenberg was introverted, shy and easily inferior, he completed all his theories and calculations independently.

Therefore, he was quite confident and the whole speech process went very smoothly.

Sommerfeld listened and nodded.

He did not suggest that Heisenberg choose cutting-edge topics, such as quantum theory.

Because Heisenberg's specialty is mathematics, and fluid mechanics is the field of physics that requires the most mathematics.

With this foundation, he will be able to handle any field he switches to with ease in the future.

It has to be said that Sommerfeld knew how to teach students in accordance with their aptitude, and he had high expectations for Heisenberg.

During the question-and-answer session, Wayne asked the first question.

His question left Heisenberg confused.

“What is the resolution of the Hooker telescope?”

ha?
Heisenberg almost thought he had heard it wrong.

Does this question have anything to do with fluid mechanics?

Due to nervousness, his mind went blank and he couldn't react at all.

At this time, Wayne asked:

"So what is the principle of the zinc-manganese battery pack that Bruce Group has recently launched?"

Wow!
Heisenberg was already sweating profusely.

He is a pure theoretical person. Apart from his own major, he likes to study quantum theory.

Professor Wayne's questions were all about areas he had never been exposed to.

For a moment, Heisenberg was very embarrassed and felt like he had become a joke.

He felt very aggrieved.

"Why is Professor Wayne picking on me?"

"When Hans and Lenz came on stage just now, he didn't ask such a weird question."

"He must have something against me!"

After waiting for a long time, Heisenberg still couldn't answer.

Seeing Professor Wayne shaking his head, he was almost crying.

If he fails to pass the defense today, he will probably have no choice but to jump into the river.

Sommerfeld looked at this introverted and sensitive student with emotion.

"This is the price of being called a genius."

Of course he knew what Wayne meant.

Since you, Heisenberg, are called a genius by everyone and brag about yourself all the time, your doctoral thesis defense cannot follow the rules.

You need to know what others know, and you also need to know what others don’t know.

Only in this way can you deserve the title of genius.

As a mentor, Sommerfeld could not plead for his students.

So he could only encourage Heisenberg with his eyes.

Just when the atmosphere was awkward.

Suddenly, Li Qiwei spoke.

"Heisenberg, let me ask you another question."

Heisenberg almost collapsed when he heard this.

However, when he saw Professor Bruce's eyes, he calmed down instantly.

Because he did not see disappointment and contempt, but instead kind encouragement and comfort.

Sommerfeld also discovered something unusual.

He breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

Now only Professor Bruce can save Heisenberg.

At this time, Li Qiwei asked:

“What is the principle of sodium lamp?”

call!
When Heisenberg heard the question, he almost cried.

At this moment, Professor Bruce was even closer to him than his parents.

Heisenberg swore at this moment that he would be grateful to Professor Bruce for the rest of his life.

Because he is absolutely confident about the answer to this question!
Heisenberg adjusted his emotions and spoke in a calm tone.

"Professor Bruce, I know that the sodium lamp is a new type of light bulb that Alpha Labs has just produced."

"Its designer is Dr. Wu Youxun."

"He used the principle of electron transition in quantum theory to excite sodium vapor, causing the electrons in sodium atoms to transition."

"As long as the parameters are controlled well, the electromagnetic waves emitted after the electron transition can be made at the same frequency, thus forming lighting-level lights."

"Because this kind of light is monochromatic, its penetrating power is much higher than that of existing traditional incandescent lamps."

"Sodium lamps are such bulbs, and their light color is orange."

Heisenberg said this almost in one breath, which shows that he is very familiar with this product.

Because this is the first application of quantum theory in the industrial field, it has very important significance.

And Heisenberg was very concerned about everything about quantum theory.

At this time, Sommerfeld smiled and said:

"Professor Wayne, I think Heisenberg has a very deep understanding of quantum theory."

"I will make sure he studies your question carefully when he goes downstairs."

"I will report to you personally when the time comes."

Wayne walked down the stairs and said:

"Professor Sommerfeld, so this is why you invited Professor Bruce here."

Several bigwigs smiled knowingly.

Heisenberg breathed a sigh of relief, as if a drowning man was rescued at the last moment.

He cast a grateful look towards Professor Bruce.

Li Qiwei nodded with satisfaction.

Sodium lamp is Alpha Lab's first flagship product.

Previously, the New York City government approached Tesla and wanted to commission him to design a special light bulb.

It turns out that since the automobile industry has flourished in the United States, there are more and more cars in the United States.

New York City is full of cars.

It's fine during the day, but at night, if there is heavy fog or other weather conditions, the existing lights are completely unable to provide lighting.

The number of traffic accidents in New York City has continued to increase and has reached an unbearable level.

Therefore, the government urgently needs a light bulb that can be used at night, has good stability and particularly strong penetrating power.

However, there is no such product on the market yet.

Officials who were knowledgeable about the matter found the famous Tesla.

After receiving this request, Tesla was also very interested.

Neither he nor Edison had ever invented this new type of light bulb.

He even checked a large number of patents, but found no design for this kind of light bulb.

The more difficult the situation is, the higher Tesla's fighting spirit becomes.

He immediately set up a research and development team, with himself as the team leader and Wu Youxun as the deputy team leader.

And announced that the new light bulb project was the first shot in Alpha Lab's fame.

Must pay special attention!

However, after half a year of hard work, the team made no progress.

Tesla was disheartened and this incident dealt him a heavy blow.

Just when everyone was about to give up, Wu Youxun had an inspiration.

"Can we use the principle of electron transition in quantum theory to produce light of a single frequency?"

"Yellow light has the strongest penetrating power. As long as we can find an atom whose transition radiation is in the yellow light range, we can produce this kind of bulb."

Wow!
A word to wake up the dreamer!

Sodium lamp was born!

Its light is soft and has strong penetrating power, making it very suitable for use at night and in foggy days.

Sodium lamps shine brightly on roads, docks, ports, stations, squares and other occasions.

As soon as it appeared, it was favored by countless organizations and individuals.

At Li Qiwei's suggestion, there is no patent for sodium lamps and all technical principles are made public.

"Light belongs to all mankind!"

This move made Alpha Labs famous!
Countless high-level talents flock to it.

It perfectly demonstrates what high technology is and how technology changes lives.

Li Qiwei rewarded the R&D team with a large sum of money and also rewarded Wu Youxun separately.

Wu Youxun established his leadership position in Alpha Laboratory with the sodium lamp.

There will be no more obstacles for him to take over Tesla in the future.

At the same time, Wu Youxun once again brought glory to China!

(Note: In real history, the sodium lamp was invented around 1930 and is still in use today.)
At this moment, Heisenberg's answer reflects the popularity of sodium lamps.

In the eyes of everyone, quantum theory is such a supreme physical theory.

I don’t know how long it will take before it can be applied in engineering applications.

However, Wu Youxun used his intelligence and talent to invent extremely creative products.

This is the magic of science!

Finally, Heisenberg successfully completed his defense.

However, his overall defense score was not so good.

You know, Pauli graduated with a doctorate with the first place.

After the defense was over, Heisenberg found Ridgway and said with courage:
"Professor Bruce, I would like to apply for a postdoctoral position at the Quantum Institute."

Li Qiwei patted his shoulder and said with a smile:

"Welcome, Heisenberg."

"But don't be too nervous during your next interview."

Heisenberg was delighted to hear this.

He firmly believed that he would be reborn in the Quantum Research Institute.

In early June, with the farewell of Sommerfeld and others, Li Qiwei left Germany and continued to his next stop.

(End of this chapter)