154: Chapter 154 Communication and Q&A

Early the next morning, after Chen Youhua had a simple breakfast at the guesthouse, Engineer Yang, who was responsible for coordinating with him, arrived right on time.

Engineer Yang still looked professional and capable; seeing Chen Youhua, a smile appeared on his face.

"Professor Chen, good morning! How did you rest? Chief Engineer Yang is already at the control center. Shall we head over and meet him first?"

"Quite well, let's go."

Chen Youhua nodded, picked up his laptop and thermos, and followed Engineer Yang out the door.

In the car, Engineer Yang gave a rough introduction of today's schedule.

"Professor Chen, today we'll mainly go to the main control hall first, where Chief Engineer Yang is waiting for you."

"Afterward, we can go down to the experimental hall to take a close look at the east device itself."

"Additionally, the engineers from several of our groups are particularly interested in the parameter optimization suggestions you provided earlier. They've saved up quite a few questions and might take up some of your time to ask about the mathematical and physical considerations behind these settings."

"No problem, exchange is what sparks inspiration."

Chen Youhua expressed his understanding.

"How is the testing arranged? I heard there's a verification process ongoing after the parameter adjustments?"

Engineer Yang answered while driving.

"Yes. However, large-scale experimental tests can't be conducted randomly; they require meticulous preparation and coordination."

"Based on the models and parameters you provided, we've spent the past month adjusting the equipment's operational logic and feedback precision."

"The past few days have been dedicated to single-system or partial joint debugging tests to collect basic data and verify the effects of the adjustments."

"A complete Plasma Discharge Experiment is expected to be scheduled for the morning of the day after tomorrow."

"At that time, all systems will switch to experimental mode; that will be the main event."

Chen Youhua understood.

"Understood. Let's look at the debugging data from these past few days first; perhaps some fine-tuning can still be done."

The car soon drove into the Science Island area, and the environment became quiet and solemn.

After a strict security check, they arrived at the Main Experimental Building where the east device was located.

The main control hall was more spacious and modern than Chen Youhua had imagined.

Dense data, curves, and real-time monitoring footage of various parts of the device flowed across a giant circular screen.

Dozens of researchers sat at computers, focused and busy, with very few people chatting.

Academician Yang Zhenyu was standing in the center of the hall, discussing something with several middle-aged scholars who seemed quite experienced.

Seeing Chen Youhua enter, he immediately walked over with a smile.

"Professor Chen! Welcome, welcome! It's been a long journey for you!"

Academician Yang warmly shook Chen Youhua's hand.

"Come, let me first familiarize you with our control center here."

He personally acted as a guide, leading Chen Youhua around the main control hall, briefly introducing the general functions of each zone and the meaning of key data on the large screen.

Although Academician Yang tried to explain in layman's terms, the vast amount of professional terminology and complex systems still made Chen Youhua feel the scale and precision of this project.

He listened intently, occasionally asking one or two key questions that went straight to the heart of the matter, causing the project leaders accompanying them to nod inwardly.

After a brief tour, Academician Yang led Chen Youhua to a relatively quiet rest area, and several core engineers gathered around.

Engineer Yang helped pour tea.

"Youhua, let's not beat around the bush."

Academician Yang got straight to the point.

"That set of models you gave us last time really helped open up many new ideas for us. But these guys,"

He pointed to the surrounding engineers.

"They all have a habit of getting to the bottom of things. Regarding some of the parameter values, boundary condition settings, and the response speed requirements for certain subsystems in your calculations..."

"They've stored up quite a few doubts these past few days and have been dying to hear the reasons behind them from you personally."

Chen Youhua smiled and said.

"It's a small matter. Everyone can ask whatever questions they have. Let's communicate more; keeping doubts overnight isn't a good habit."

An engineer responsible for plasma control was the first to ask.

"Professor Chen, in the parameter set, you suggested we reduce the current ramp-up rate of Ohmic Heating by 15% in the second stage, while simultaneously injecting power from the Lower Hybrid Wave Current Drive earlier."

"We tried it, and the confinement improvement was very obvious, but occasionally, frequent Edge Localized Modes (ELMs) would occur."

"We want to know, what is the physical picture behind this optimization? How can we better predict and avoid ELM risks?"

Chen Youhua picked up a pen and explained while drawing a diagram on the whiteboard.

"My idea was to attempt to use the lower hybrid wave to more accurately deposit energy and drive current in the core region during the early stages of plasma current formation, creating a softer but more stable current profile."

"This can reduce the magnetohydrodynamic instabilities that might arise in the later stages of Ohmic Heating to maintain the current... Regarding ELMs, it is indeed a balancing act."

"My model suggests monitoring the rate of change of the edge pressure gradient. When it exceeds a certain critical slope, fine-tuning the flow of Supersonic Molecular Beam Injection might have a certain inhibitory effect..."

Next, an expert in microwave heating raised a question.

"Professor Chen, regarding the power ratio and phase modulation scheme for Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heating and Ion Cyclotron Resonance Heating you proposed, we found in practice that there's some deviation between the predicted plasma rotation and the actual results..."

Chen Youhua pondered for a moment.

"This problem might involve details of energetic particle transport; my calculations were based on a simplified model."

"Perhaps we need to introduce more diagnostic feedback on fast-ion loss for real-time fine-tuning."

"I noticed you have a new Neutron Flux Diagnostic System; its data might help us better constrain this model..."

An engineer wearing thick glasses asked.

"Hello, Professor Chen. It's about the set of parameters for Divertor heat load calculations. The fluctuation tolerance you set is much lower than our previous empirical values. We're a bit worried that in actual operation, especially when facing large ELMs, whether..."

Chen Youhua took the tablet handed over by Engineer Yang, pulled up the relevant formulas and data charts, leaned forward slightly, and began to explain.

"This value is mainly based on my re-estimation of the special evolution of nonlinear terms in the boundary layer within the Turbulence Energy Cascade Model. Look here..."

He didn't give the answer directly but instead guided the other person to understand the logic and basis upon which he constructed this mathematical model.

His speaking pace was steady, his logic clear. He didn't use overly profound mathematical language but instead tried to use physical imagery and engineering analogies to explain complex mathematical derivations.

When he encountered something the engineers didn't understand, he would stop and explain it again in a different way, or write down key formula fragments on the tablet.

In the rest area, a small, high-level academic discussion naturally unfolded.

Initially, it was mainly the engineers asking questions and Chen Youhua answering.

Later, as the discussion deepened, Chen Youhua also began to ask questions back, learning about the actual working characteristics, material limits, and control system response delay details of specific components of the east device.

His questions were very specific and critical, showing that he also had a deep understanding of the engineering implementation level.

Academician Yang spent most of his time listening happily from the side, occasionally interjecting a word or pointing out a key point of contention.

The discussion lasted for nearly two hours, and the atmosphere remained warm and harmonious throughout.

Chen Youhua's solid foundation in mathematics and physics, clear logic, and patient attitude completely won over this group of rigorous engineers.

It wasn't until Engineer Yang reminded everyone that time was almost up and they should head to the experimental hall that everyone stopped the discussion, still wanting more.

"Listening to your words is better than ten years of study!"

The engineer who had asked the first question remarked with emotion.

"Professor Chen, with your explanation, the weight on my heart has finally been lifted. I have much more confidence for the test the day after tomorrow!"

Chen Youhua smiled modestly.

"You're all too kind. I'm only providing some possibilities from a mathematical perspective. The actual implementation and verification depend entirely on the wisdom and hard work of all you engineers."

"By communicating with all of you, I've also learned many practical things."

Academician Yang stood up and patted Chen Youhua firmly on the shoulder.

"Good! Only by combining theory with practice can true knowledge be gained!"

"It's about time. Let's go, Youhua, I'll take you to see the Tokamak itself!"