From top student in college to scientific research powerhouse

Chapter 13 You call this a small study?
"What did he say?!"

Xue Kun had just hung up the phone when a stern rebuke came from beside him.

It was Yao Liqin, the teacher of "Mathematical Methods".

Yao Liqin is nearly sixty years old. His hair is sparse and casually hangs on his head, and his raised eyebrows make his forehead wrinkle.

He is a senior professor in the School of Mathematics, having taught the course "Mathematical Methods" for over twenty years. His age, qualifications, and teaching ability make him a true "veteran".

Before Xue Kun could speak, Yao Liqin couldn't help but scold him, "Professor Xue, I must say something again."

"You're a student who skipped class on the very first day. How can you have such an attitude towards studying!"

"You're a PhD student, you're doing your doctoral studies, and you're still skipping classes like an undergraduate? Don't you know how to study? Other students are vying to attend classes!"

This is also why Yao Liqin was angry.

"Mathematical Methods" is an important interdisciplinary subject at the intersection of physics and mathematics, and a core course for physics doctoral students.

Mathematical physics methods involve transforming physical problems into mathematical models and solving them. The course content covers complex functions, integral transforms, mathematical physics equations, and so on.

With so much content overlapping, the difficulty is naturally very high.

Other physics doctoral students all previewed the material and arrived at the classroom early, fearing they would fall behind.

This student skipped class on the very first day!

Xue Kun felt frustrated after being 'scolded', but considering the other person's age and the fact that he was definitely in the wrong, he could only say, "I apologize to you on his behalf."

He then explained, "It is indeed wrong not to attend class, but Professor Yao, this student is very special."

"Special?" Yao Liqin was taken aback.

"He completed a year of doctoral studies at Donggang University, and his grades were outstanding."

Xue Kun raised an eyebrow as he spoke.

He was also frustrated by the reprimand, and even though he couldn't directly retort, saying that the student had pursued a doctorate at Donggang University was a form of retaliation.

I studied for a year at Donggang University for my PhD, and I took all the basic doctoral courses with excellent grades. What can I say if I missed one class?
Yao Liqin immediately asked, "You studied for a year, why didn't you continue?"

Xue Kun offered no explanation.

Yao Liqin thought for a moment and continued, "If it's really as you say, I'll test him in a bit. If he's really good, he doesn't need to go to class anymore, I'll just pass him!"

The room fell silent after he finished speaking.

Xue Kun and Yao Liqin were not familiar with each other, and there was a generation gap between them, so they didn't have much in common.

Furthermore, their conversation was far from friendly.

Yao Liqin also felt awkward, and recalling the phone call earlier, she said, "When you called earlier, I think I heard you say 'what kind of research'? Is it your project?"

"No."

Xue Kun shook his head and said, "He did some research on his own. It seems he said..."

He paused for a moment, carefully organizing his thoughts before speaking, "The mathematical correlation model between the atomic arrangement, electronic activity, and device characteristics of semiconductor substrate materials—that's right, it's a fuzzy correlation."

Yao Liqin listened carefully, his brain working over time, and it took him a while to understand.

He looked surprised and exclaimed, "A mathematical model relating substrate microstructures to semiconductor properties... and you call this a small research project?"

"He said it."

Xue Kun shrugged, his expression blank. "I've been thinking about that too."

Mathematical models relating substrate and semiconductor device characteristics...

What is this concept?
If it can be thoroughly studied, it will become the cornerstone of semiconductor research and development, a new theoretical foundation, and a very solid one at that.

The semiconductor field is developing rapidly, but in terms of research and development, it is actually similar to materials research, which is to accumulate data and experience through continuous experiments.

Once a certain 'pattern' is found, it is possible to calculate what kind of substrate material should be used to manufacture a semiconductor device with a certain characteristic.

Of course, it also depends on the extent of the research.

Even just touching on the edge with some simple descriptions is enough to get a high-level paper submitted.

The two waited patiently.

Before long, Zhang Minghao appeared at the door, carrying a laptop bag on his back.

"come on in!"

Xue Kun waved towards the door and asked impatiently, "Tell me about that research."

After speaking, he noticed Yao Liqin and quickly introduced him, "This is Professor Yao Liqin, your teacher for the 'Mathematical Methods' course."

Yao Liqin raised an eyebrow, annoyed by the word "old," but didn't argue with Xue Kun. "Professor Yao, I'm sorry, I really forgot. By the time I remembered, get out of class had already ended..."

Zhang Minghao quickly apologized.

"Stop talking about that, tell me about your research!" Yao Liqin was also eager to get started.

Zhang Minghao didn't say anything more. He took out his computer, placed it on the table, and turned it on. He saw a lot of data, along with some simple text analysis.

He then took out a stack of manuscript paper.

The top image is full of dazzling symbols. He explained, "I studied semiconductor device manufacturing data and the associated substrate structures."

"Adding the theoretical foundation of semiconductor technology, a mathematical correlation model was constructed."

"This is the model."

He pointed to the contents of the top sheet of paper, "Let me explain briefly..."

Simply put, it explains the meaning of each symbol and what each item represents.

Xue Kun and Yao Liqin listened patiently.

Xue Kun is alright. He does research on electromagnetic metamaterials, especially stanene research, which is directly related to semiconductors. In fact, semiconductor theory is the foundation of his work.

Zhang Minghao's explanations are all very easy to understand.

Yao Liqin, on the other hand, is not good at it. His main research area is mathematical equations, and he has studied the construction of mathematical models, but he only has a superficial understanding of semiconductors.

I have a general understanding, but I can't grasp the specifics of substrate parameters, device characteristics, experimental data, etc.

Therefore, Yao Liqin could only get a general idea.

A mathematical model is just a conclusion; it can be explained in a short while.

Zhang Minghao added, "Because of the limited data, we can only construct a fuzzy model, and each parameter has a range of values."

"The entire model is a complex partial differential equation, and its three-dimensional solution is linear."

After the explanation was finished, Xue Kun and Yao Liqin stared at the model in silence.

Yao Liqin got the gist of it but didn't know how to comment.

Xue Kun was deep in thought.

He couldn't be sure if the model was correct, and he didn't even want to hear how the model was derived. Even if he knew the derivation process, he couldn't judge its correctness.

Mathematical models that are directly related to applications can only be verified by actually substituting a large amount of data.

Finally, Yao Liqin spoke first, exclaiming, "I don't know how good this model is, but Professor Xue, your student is truly capable."

"I didn't understand at all!"

He then said to Zhang Minghao, "For the 'Mathematical Methods' course, you can go if you want, or don't go if you don't. I'll pass you!"

After saying that, he left without hesitation.

Zhang Minghao called out after him, "Professor Yao, I'll definitely go to class!"

After Yao Liqin left, Xue Kun stared at Zhang Minghao and asked seriously, "How confident are you about this model?"

"100%!"

Zhang Minghao spoke with great confidence.

Xue Kun nodded, then frowned and thought for a while before saying, "I believe you."

"How about this, I'll find the R&D department of a semiconductor company and ask them to help verify it."

Zhang Minghao was overjoyed and said excitedly, "Thank you, Teacher Xue!"

"Thank you!"

"Don't get so worked up. Don't have too high hopes either. If we're wrong, we'll see where the problem lies later."

Xue Kun shook his head as he spoke, unsure whether he was speaking to Zhang Minghao or himself, "The research is like this."

"Even with absolute certainty, mistakes can still occur, just like with stanene, which has just undergone..."

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(End of this chapter)