Siheyuan: The Era of Struggle

Chapter 165 The Last Hurdle in Atomic Bomb Theory Research (Subscription Request)

For the next period of time, because Mr. Qian was busy with the establishment of the Aerospace Research Institute and the use of the two missiles sent by the big brother to train talents in the missile field, there was no place for Yang Ning.

In order to avoid being too busy at that time, Yang Ning focused his main energy on the Atomic Research Institute during this window period.

With Yang Ning's full cooperation, the theoretical research on the atomic bomb progressed very quickly. In addition to processing the data sent by the Atomic Research Institute every day, Yang Ning would also conduct some atomic experiment simulations based on these experimental data to prevent loopholes or errors in the experiment...

When it was July, Director Nie took Yang Ning and others by train to a test base at the foot of the Great Wall.

Because today is the day we conduct our first simulated atomic bomb explosion test.

After hard work of all researchers, we finally completed the research on the construction of explosive implosion model and the calculation of critical value of uranium fission some time ago.

Now we are making this experimental atomic bomb based on these theoretical foundations. Of course, the nuclear material in this test bomb is not enough to support the entire nuclear fission chain reaction, so theoretically this test bomb will not produce a nuclear explosion.

The main purpose of this experiment is to verify whether the energy generated by the explosion of the explosives under the theoretical model structure we are studying can collapse inward, and whether the energy generated after the collapse is sufficient to cause uranium 235 to produce a fission reaction.

Because the data collected from the experiment needed to be processed in a timely manner, Director Nie simply brought Yang Ning along.

"Yang Ning, just stay with us and pay attention to your own safety."

Although the theoretical design of this test bomb would not cause a nuclear explosion, Director Nie and other test personnel still gathered in an underground observation room five kilometers away from the test site to watch the experiment.

After all, this thing is only theoretical. If there is a calculation error and a mushroom cloud rises directly, no one can afford the losses caused.

Following a dull explosion, a flash of fire appeared at the explosion site in the telescope, and then a puff of white smoke rose from the spot.

After a while, an experimenter wearing full protective clothing entered the explosion site with the instrument and began to collect data after the explosion.

As everyone waited anxiously, the collected data was quickly sent to the observation room.

Director Nie took the technical information and handed it directly to Yang Ning without even looking at it.

Yang Ning took the information to the table that had been prepared long ago, spread out the information and started to calculate.

Because the Atomic Research Institute had already told Yang Ning in advance about the various data models for this experiment, he only needed to input the collected data into various model formulas to get the results quickly.

"How is it?" Seeing Yang Ning stop writing, everyone in the observation room looked at Yang Ning anxiously, afraid that he would say that the experiment had failed.

If this is true, then wouldn’t all their efforts over the past six months have been in vain?
Failure is impossible because Yang Ning handles the experimental results every time. If there is any error, Yang Ning would have discovered it long ago.

"The explosion of the explosives produced an implosion collapse, and the energy generated caused the uranium 235 to undergo a fission reaction..."

"Great, does that mean our experiment was successful?"

After hearing what Yang Ning said, Dean Qian couldn't help but asked excitedly.

Director Nie and others also looked at Yang Ning excitedly. If they hadn’t been concerned about the occasion and knew that it was not advisable to open champagne at halftime, they would have celebrated excitedly.

You know, if this experiment is successful, it means that we have theoretically conquered all theoretical research on the atomic bomb. The next step is to develop it step by step according to these theories. Although Yang Ning didn't want to pour cold water on everyone at this time, he still shook his head and explained: "There is no problem with the implosion model, but the radiation data collected from the fission of uranium in this experimental bomb is a bit different from the theoretical calculation!"

After hearing what Yang Ning said, everyone around him calmed down. The excited expressions they had just had suddenly disappeared, and their faces became serious.

Except for Director Nie and a few soldiers, all the people in the observation room now are experts in the field of nuclear physics and understand what this situation means.

"So was this experiment successful or not? Tell me the result first. There are so many people in Sijiu City waiting for news from here!"

Director Nie saw that the atmosphere around him suddenly became solemn. Everyone was silent. They silently thought about the data calculated by Yang Ning, and anxiously pulled Dean Qian beside him to ask.

This experiment is not just the business of the Institute of Atomic Research. There are many people who are paying attention to this matter, and they are all waiting for the results here today.

Dean Qian smiled bitterly at Director Nie and explained, "It can only be said that it is half successful. Uranium 235 has produced nuclear fission, which means that our data model is correct."

"But the radiation value did not reach the expected value, which means that the fission reaction of uranium 235 was not sufficient and the reaction chain was broken."

"Then how far are we from completing the research on the atomic bomb?" Director Nie asked solemnly after listening to Dean Qian's explanation.

"There is only one last step left. As long as we solve the problem of breaking the reaction chain, we will have complete atomic bomb production technology."

Dean Qian said immediately.

After hearing his words, Director Nie did not express his opinion immediately, but glanced at Yang Ning.

Seeing the look from Director Nie, Yang Ning also nodded.

Indeed, all the theoretical designs are now fine. As long as we continue to experiment with the reactor and accumulate enough experimental data, the problem of reaction chain breaking will be solved sooner or later.

"That's good!"

After seeing Yang Ning nod, Director Nie also breathed a sigh of relief. At least this experiment was not completely fruitless.

Then Director Nie smiled and said to the solemn-looking crowd: "Don't be so disappointed, at least we are only one step away from complete success. I hope everyone will keep up the good work and try to overcome this last hurdle in the shortest possible time..."

Although there were some problems in this experiment, the final experimental results gave everyone a shot in the arm.

Although there is still the problem of broken reaction chain, it at least proves that the previous route we took was correct. As long as we continue along this path, I believe we will succeed in the end.

So next, after returning to Beijing, these researchers from the Atomic Research Institute devoted themselves to their work with greater enthusiasm.

All of a sudden, the Atomic Research Institute sent more data to Yang Ning.

It was at this time that a document sent by the newly established Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics made Yang Ning realize that the curtain of a great era was about to be opened.

(End of this chapter)