On the other side of the sea, in the turret office.
Today, Bob is no longer alone. Sitting across from 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. However, under the intervention of the big hand of national administrative power, they finally gathered together.
In fact, Bob was not happy about such intervention. To some extent, he was a staunch liberal.
But do I have any other choice?
China's Xinghuo has verified the superiority of highly organized and highly centralized groups in technology research and development. No matter how much we attack and slander, we must recognize the advanced nature of their results.
So, here comes the irony:
If you want to surpass them, you must at least become them first.
This may seem like a less than optimistic start, but at least it works.
The phased results achieved by the team are the best evidence:
In one month after being formed, the group had made more progress on their experiments than they would have made in three months had they been experimenting individually.
And today is the day they report to the "sponsor", or "investor".
".So overall the project is progressing much 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 basically stagnated, but now, these researches have been restarted."
"And the research after the restart quickly showed 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 road map."
"In this road map, we have included content in multiple fields including qubit experiments, quantum gate operations, quantum error correction, etc."
"After that, we will continue to update and revise this roadmap to ensure the accuracy of the road map and ensure that it serves as a strong reference for the development of the entire quantum computing project."
"This road map is not critical confidential information, so it can be made public - and after it is made public, its guiding significance for the entire academic community will be quickly reflected. Theoretically, with this road map, we can establish for leadership in quantum computing."
“Needless to say, it has a strong impetus for attracting talents and investment.”
After hearing what the reporter Davis said, Bob nodded slightly, and then gave a rare gentle encouragement:
"It's very good. Although I don't understand the specific technology, I know how much guidance a macro strategy can have."
"The fact that you can solve this problem as a priority shows that you have a clear understanding of the work you are doing. This alone has earned my trust."
Hearing this, not only Davis, but also other researchers in the office breathed a sigh of relief.
In fact, this was not their first time dealing with the military, and they should not have been too nervous.
But the problem is, Bob's reputation is really bad.
Moody, cold and serious, cruel and decisive. There are even rumors that he once personally dealt with the head of a certain team department without any punishment.
What height has such a person’s power and ability reached?
With his sponsor attached to the project, will one day be silently dealt with without even knowing what dissatisfied him?
This was the common concern of everyone before coming to this office, but now, judging from Bob's reaction, he does not seem to be as scary as the legend says.
"Thank you for your affirmation, it means a lot to us."
Davis quickly answered.
On the opposite side, Bob nodded slightly and continued to ask:
"Is there any concrete progress?"
"have."
"Caltech collaborated with UCSB's JM Laboratory to achieve 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 provide a longer time for superconducting quantum systems. It lays the foundation for calculations and operations.”
"At the same time, JM Laboratory has also improved the accuracy and stability of quantum gate operations - I don't think I need to introduce you to the specific technical details in too much detail. After all, those details can only be understood by scholars in the relevant fields. "
"However, to put it simply, we have completed the foundation construction of the superconducting quantum computer. The next step is to start actual manufacturing and performance testing."
"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 thing only China 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 still 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."
Hearing this, Bob let out a long sigh of relief.
It seems that my choice is correct.
While the whole world is scrambling for the so-called "metallic hydrogen application technology" proposed by China, even putting aside the dignity and bottom line of a big country, our own side has found another way - well, of course we have made some efforts. , but unlike other countries, after being rejected by China, it is not that there is no other way for our country to take.
Now, isn't this road right in front of us?
In this world, who dares to say that quantum computing is not as meaningful as room-temperature superconductors?
Even if there are some differences, they are not big, right?
And it is such a coincidence that the two "evenly matched" technologies happen to have no overlap.
This is an opportunity given to the United States by God, an opportunity to overtake in a corner and use an asymmetric strategy to get ahead of China again.
"It would be great"
Bob's voice became more cheerful. He even stood up, patted Davis on the shoulder and said:
"You guys did a great job."
"Once this project achieves the expected progress and results, the eyes of the whole world will be focused on you."
"You will become heroes of the United States, and your names will even appear in every history book!"
A genuine smile appeared on Davis' face, and he thanked Bob for the encouragement.
But behind the sincerity of this smile, there is still a trace of subtle bitterness hidden.
Can our quantum computing really get 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 opposite held a thick stack of information in his hand, all of which was about China's normal temperature superconducting application technology and the responses of various countries.
In just one week, the United States can be said to have experienced the largest "betrayal" in this century - of course, perhaps this cannot be said to be a betrayal. After all, getting along with the two countries is not about love. You can't ask the other person to stay with you because of so-called "friendship" when they clearly have better choices, right?
But of course, the United States also made a list of these countries.
It's not to settle scores, it's just to monitor and manage, and when the time is right, we can find a way to squeeze something out of their hands.
Watching Bob reopen his eyes and sit up straight, the assistant said smoothly:
"The current situation is relatively clear. Judging from the 'quotation information' of various countries, Russia still has the biggest advantage."
"But unlike what we had speculated before, Qatar's conditions are extremely aggressive, and the share they may ultimately get may be more than everyone guessed."
Hearing this, Bob shook his head helplessly, and then asked:
"So China really plans to build a new metallic hydrogen plant in Qatar? This strategy sounds unreliable. The risk of technology leakage is too high."
"This is the cleverness of Qatar - the conditions they provide are actually to create excellent confidentiality conditions for China."
"They are not eager to obtain metal hydrogen-related technology immediately. On the contrary, they are focused on future profits."
"Normal temperature superconducting technology is of great significance to mankind. Even China, after occupying a huge advantageous position, cannot block this technology for a long time."
"The most likely scenario is that they will start to lift the ban after they gradually become proficient in using this technology and form a scale in the country."
"At that time, all other countries will get is the initial technology itself, but what Qatar may get is a mature production line."
"To be honest, such a reward is quite generous even for us. 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 person who puts interests first. In fact, he does not have that many psychological barriers to this issue.
Isn’t the essence just exchange? Qatar used "partial sovereignty" in exchange, so wouldn't it be able to do so on its own side?
It's a pity that Nandao's action was too early. If he could endure it a little longer, maybe that would be the best time for exchange.
But now, it's useless to say anything.
So he asked:
"Are there any other feasible exchange strategies? For example, technology for technology?"
"In terms of nuclear fusion, China 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 of the same order of magnitude."
"Qatar's sovereignty is not on the same order of magnitude as metallic hydrogen - the fossil fuel era is over, so what's the point of having an enclave there?"
"Or to put it more bluntly, the entire Middle East will become an abandoned place in the future."
“But what they really exchanged was not sovereignty, but a certificate of nomination.”
".Understood."
Bob nodded helplessly and then asked:
"What about other negotiating directions? How is the situation now?"
The assistant replied:
"Every department is discussing it, but in the near future, I'm afraid there won't be much progress."
"Then let's think about it more. In short, we must not let the situation get worse."
Bob's voice was a little deep. During this long period of time, he had gradually understood the reasons why China quickly caught up with his motherland and gradually surpassed it.
But still, he couldn't accept it.
This feeling is indescribable, as if a nerd whom I often suppressed and bullied when I was a student suddenly took off his clothes one day, revealing all his muscles.
——
No, it's not all the muscles showing, it's the red underwear worn outside the blue jacket.
The former technical bully has become the bullied. This kind of role change is probably a pain that every decision-maker in this country has to experience.
A few days later, the Spark team once again received a communication request from across the ocean.
Since the large-scale release of plasma technology and the EAST project entering a period of rapid development, this is the third time we have received a letter from the other party.
In the letters, the wording they used became 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.
Opposite Chen Guo shook her head and replied:
"It's not time to close the net yet."
"Look at the exchange conditions they proposed, they are mainly concentrated in the fields of agriculture, energy, microelectronics and semiconductors."
"Although it seems 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."
"This is a bargaining process - since they are not in a hurry, then we will continue to let it hang."
"When will NASA come forward and when will this matter be truly discussed?"
"clear."
Chen Nian nodded slightly, while Chen Guo couldn't help but sigh.
In fact, not long after the EAST project was launched, superiors had already made a strategy of using this technological advantage to force the United States to hand over the core aerospace technology mastered by NASA.
The reason is simple. This is probably the most valuable technology in the hands of the United States and the most difficult for China to acquire.
If it can be obtained through exchange, it will definitely be a huge benefit for China - after all, this country is too big and has too many areas to break through. You can't really count on Xinghuo and Chen for everything. read.
But to put it simply, it is still not easy to achieve this step.
You know, in the past, China was lagging behind in the field of high and new technologies, and faced a suffocating technological blockade. It was extremely difficult to obtain something new.
At that time, China could be said to be no different from garbage collectors. They ate whatever they had, no matter what field they were in, they had to do it first.
This has also led to an illusion among many people, that is: China seems to be able to do everything and be the best at everything.
As long as something is not done well, there must be a big problem.
But in fact, how many countries in the world can reach China's level?
The answer is none.
Chen Guo sighed softly, with a meaningful smile on her face.
He looked at Chen Nian and said:
"It's interesting to think about it - the real role you play is actually far beyond the technology itself."
"In the past, in the technical field, we studied and fought desperately. We wanted what others gave us."
"But now since you came, things have changed."
"Now, what we want, others have to give us. Otherwise, we will be kicked out directly."
(End of chapter)
