Chapter 336 Look! That's the Student!

"Don't understand physics?"

"What does it mean?"

Director Zhang of the Department of Physics of the Academy of Sciences did not react immediately when he heard what Qian Zhijin said on the other side of the phone, "Zhao Yi said he doesn't understand physics?"

"That's what he said."

Qian Zhijin was also a little angry at Zhao Yi's attitude, but his relationship with Zhao Yi could be regarded as friends, and it was definitely much better than Director Zhang. He felt that it was inappropriate to say this, so he racked his brains and explained, "He was doing Research, you don’t know, he has a bad temper when he is doing research, so he can’t be disturbed.”

"Besides, young people have unpredictable tempers. I don't know what it means. Maybe I didn't understand it and just replied casually."

"I'll ask again after he finishes his research."

Director Zhang thought about Qian Zhijin's words and said politely, "Then it's Professor Qian's fault."

"No trouble, no trouble, it should be, it should be." Qian Zhijin said politely and put down the phone.

Director Zhang's thoughts are much more complicated.

As the director of the Department of Physics of the Academy of Sciences, Director Zhang will definitely have the title of academician. Not only is he a rare academician of physics, he is also only fifty-seven years old.

It must be quite remarkable to be an academician at this age, and to be the director of the Academy of Sciences, responsible for managing the research of a subject.

Director Zhang wants Zhao Yi to join the collider team, and his purpose is not that simple.

In fact, the collider does not have a particularly high technical content. Many countries have the technical strength to build it, but few can afford enough funds to support its construction.

Large particle colliders require astronomical amounts of capital investment.

Dozens of countries are involved in the construction of the European particle collider. The most important thing for so many countries to participate is that the investment costs can be shared.

At present, domestic proposals to build a large particle collider are stuck in terms of financial investment, rather than requiring any technical support.

This is not an investment of tens or hundreds of millions, but an investment of billions or tens of billions.

Such a huge capital investment is definitely not something that can be approved by someone's suggestion. It can be said that it is very difficult to pool the power of the country into the construction of a single project and convince the country to make a determined investment.

The Department of Physics of the Academy of Sciences definitely supports the construction. From the perspective of physical research, the country has its own particle collider, which makes it much more convenient to do research.

But just the Department of Physics of the Academy of Sciences, and even the domestic physics circle, including all scholars, professors, and experts, would not be able to convince their superiors to make such a large-scale investment. Naturally, they would have to win over some heavyweights.

Director Zhang is now committed to 'drawing in heavyweights' to convince his superiors to decide on his own particle collider in the country.

Previously, Director Zhang went to lobby the famous Chinese physicist and Nobel Prize winner Yang Zhenning, but Yang Zhenning turned him away.

Yang Zhenning’s temper is also not very good. Not only did he directly reject Director Zhang, he also publicly stated in the media that he did not support the construction of a collider. His reason was simple, “The investment is not worth the investment!”

"With tens of billions of dollars in funding, the collider built is like a wedding dress for foreign physics research!"

"There are not many physicists in China. Even if we have enough economic conditions to build a collider, in the end it will be those foreign scientists who really serve it. This is a waste."

Of course.

This kind of thing needs to be looked at from different angles.

What Yang Zhenning said is not necessarily correct. Those who support the construction of a collider have very good reasons. For example, it can attract outstanding physicists to settle in China.

"If the collider is successfully built, it may attract thousands of physicists and physics workers from all over the world to come and work and settle in China for a long time."

"At the same time, the collider is a large project. It is regarded as an investment in infrastructure and can also provide a large number of jobs. It can also develop many elite positions. For example, excellent computer engineers can provide maintenance for the collider. , experimental services.”

etc.

Director Zhang is an absolute supporter of building the collider. His purpose of wanting Zhao Yi to join the team is equivalent to asking Zhao Yi to express his support.

Zhao Yi joined the team building the collider and must support its construction.

Zhao Yi is a very important figure.

In the domestic physics circle, Yang Zhenning has the greatest achievements. However, Yang Zhenning does not have Chinese nationality yet and can only be regarded as an overseas Chinese physicist.

Zhao Yi is a purely domestic scholar and the person with the highest achievements in domestic physics research. His statement is still of great reference value.

However, Zhao Yi refused!

Director Zhang's thoughts were very complicated. He had never thought about it at all. Zhao Yi just didn't want to add more work to himself, and he really felt that he was not good at physics, so he said "I don't understand physics" and refused.

Why did Zhao Yi refuse?

There is only one answer: oppose domestic investment in building a collider!

"It's okay if Yang Zhenning objects, even Zhao Yi objects..." Director Zhang rubbed his forehead in distress. He felt that the work of persuasion became more difficult.

Two physics experts are opposed to it, so how can they persuade the higher authorities to agree to invest in building a collider?

…

Zhao Yi didn't know that his words would cause Director Zhang to have so many thoughts. He didn't know that the domestic collider and whether to invest in it were still being debated. He could say that "the tire is not even formed yet." He thought the collider was being built.

He really felt that he didn't understand physics.

Compared with mathematics and computers, his physics can only be regarded as a first glimpse. He understands the principles of collider, but some basic knowledge is of little significance. Building and understanding the principles are two different things, and there is no use in letting himself participate.

After a few words with Qian Zhijin, he simply put the matter behind him and continued to study topology.

The basic knowledge of topology can be learned from books, but advanced topology is beyond the reach of books.

He especially went to the internal library of the Faculty of Science, which contained some advanced professional books, but after searching for a long time, he couldn't find anything suitable. There was one book that looked pretty good, but it was a Russian book.

Zhao Yi had no intention of learning a foreign language first just to read a book. He decided to talk to a topology expert.

The School of Science at Yanhua University is quite large. There are seven mathematics professors at the school alone. One of them is doing exchanges abroad. The others have done little research on topology. In terms of understanding of this subject, they are probably not as good as Go to Zhao Yi.

Zhao Yi asked old Professor He Mingcheng and got a disappointing answer.

He Mingcheng said this, “In any branch of mathematics, if you want to understand advanced content, you must find someone who is proficient in relevant research and has achieved certain achievements.”

Of course such people are hard to find.

Topology itself is considered a "less popular subject" in China, and one must be successful in professional research...

Anyway, Zhao Yi doesn’t know him.

He simply made a video call to Edward Witten to ask if he had any research on topology.

Edward Witten was very enthusiastic when he saw Zhao Yi. He usually took the initiative to call. It was really rare for Zhao Yi to take the initiative, but what Zhao Yi said surprised him, "Topology?"

He said with embarrassment, "I have studied it, only when I first constructed M theory."

"Borrowing the concept of topology, combining Fermat's conjecture and Riemann's conjecture as the basis, we constructed the geometric topology of M theory. That was my most successful mathematical masterpiece."

Edward's eyes lit up as he spoke, but he still regretted, "But I just used the concepts and methods of topology, and I have no special research on topology."

"But you don't need cutting-edge research, right?" He suddenly asked.

Zhao Yi was right when he thought about it.

He wanted to know more about topology and some advanced topology theories and research, but it didn't necessarily have to be cutting-edge research. Maybe some advanced foundations would also be helpful to him.

Next, Edward took the initiative to talk about topology, but unfortunately, there was nothing special. Zhao Yi understood most of it, and some new things seemed meaningless.

Seeing Zhao Yi's somewhat disappointed expression, Edward couldn't help but ask, "Why do you study topology? Topology... Do you want to reconstruct the geometric topology of M theory? Or are you trying to find a multidimensional space?"

His eyes lit up as he said, "This is really an interesting idea. How come I didn't think of using topology?"

"If you think about it carefully, extending it from the topological direction may help us understand four-dimensional space, or multi-dimensional space!"

"Maybe topology is the key to finding four-dimensional space!"

Edward said with absolute certainty.

Zhao Yi was a little stunned when he heard it. Why did he become a four-dimensional space when he said it? He continued to listen to Edward's explanation and found that it really made sense.

Edward excitedly gave an example, saying that a piece of paper is flat. If you crumple the paper into a ball, regardless of the space or gaps in the middle, it will still be flat, because the paper itself has not changed, but the plane has ripples and wrinkles. But adding the space in the middle, the paper seems to become a three-dimensional, that is, three-dimensional object.

This is the transition from two dimensions to three dimensions.

Topology started in three dimensions. An object in space can be extended and transformed in shape, but it still follows certain rules.

For example, donuts cannot turn into balls, which is one type of rule.

If on the basis of the changes in the shape and state of objects in three-dimensional space, a new thing is added, such as the fluctuation of space, maybe it will be a four-dimensional space?

This is not incomprehensible.

In the explanation of gravity, after space is compressed, gravity or gravitation is generated, and then a kind of curvature of space is caused.

Now the scientific community can understand the distortion and oppression of space. On this basis, it can try other changes and combine it with the study of topology to form a four-dimensional space?

Edward kept talking, his whole body trembling with excitement, as if he was about to demonstrate the multi-dimensional space of string theory. He couldn't wait to say, "Zhao Yi, your idea is really great! It's really a genius!"

"Topology is really the most suitable subject for string theory!"

"Now I also have to do research. When I do research with you, I have better luck than you. My colleague Pierce has published several research results on topology."

After he finished speaking, he hung up the video.

Zhao Yi was confused for a long time in front of the screen. He just asked Edward about topology. How did he come up with the idea of ​​using topology to find the four-dimensional space?

And you said it was your own genius idea?

But he really wanted to use topology to solve the problem of Fermat's conjecture, not a multi-dimensional space!

…

There is no topology expert in the School of Science, and the familiar Edward Witten is not reliable either.

Zhao Yi could only find ‘foreign aid’.

The domestic academic circle, especially the mathematics circle, is not big. After asking Zhou Zhou, he was immediately introduced to a reliable person, Zhou Youjin, a professor of mathematics at Shuimu University.

In the domestic mathematics circle, Zhou Youjin is not well-known, probably because he has few achievements and they are all "unpopular subjects in China".

In fact, Zhou Youjin is still very good. His research on topological space architecture was published in the "Journal of Mathematics", which is the most difficult to publish among the four major mathematics journals. When it was published, he was officially congratulated by Shuimu University. This is just because topology is the most popular in domestic mathematics. The circle is too cold, and it will pass if it passes.

Now Zhou Youjin is still engaged in topology research. He has opened a graduate topology course at Shuimu University, and he continues to do research quietly.

He is also a low-key person.

After Zhao Yi and Zhou Youjin made an agreement, they went to the mall to buy gifts, then came to Shuimu University and went straight to Zhou Youjin's office.

He originally thought that someone would come to greet him: Shuimu University was still very enthusiastic about him, especially a group of mathematics researchers, including Qiu Chengwen, who led the Mathematical Science Center, who always wanted to poach him.

In fact, there was no one.

Zhao Yi went straight to Zhou Youjin's office and met a middle-aged man in his forties in the corridor on the second floor. He seemed to be a teacher. The man looked at Zhao Yi and asked, "Are you a graduate student taught by Professor Zhou?"

"Ah...right!"

Zhao Yi nodded immediately after reacting.

Looking at the gift in Zhao Yi's hand, the middle-aged teacher frowned and said, "Isn't it bad to give gifts? Professor Zhou never accepts things from students, whether it is academic or other aspects. I advise you to be realistic. Relying on giving gifts and building relationships won’t work.”

He shook his head as he said, "I don't care what you want. Anyway, just think about it yourself. By the way, Professor Zhou has been in there for a while. He may be doing some research. Please pay attention."

What he meant was don't disturb Zhou Youjin.

Zhao Yi listened to the "education" a little helplessly, but nodded in order to keep a low profile, and added by the way, "Professor Zhou asked me to come."

"Go ahead."

The middle-aged teacher raised his head in the direction of the office, and then thought in confusion, "This graduate student is really young. He looks like he is only about 20 years old. He is really tender-faced, but why does he think of giving gifts? Today's students are so social. Yes. But I seem to have seen him...?"

He scratched his chin and thought, "He is a student taught by Professor Zhou. He must have been here before, right? That's right. It's normal for me to see him."

the other side.

Zhao Yi knocked on the door and entered the office.

Zhou Youjin welcomed him in enthusiastically, poured the prepared tea and asked with interest, "I didn't understand what I said on the phone, why did you think of studying topology?"

Zhao Yidao, "This subject is very important. I am studying Fermat's conjecture and feel that advanced topology may be helpful. In addition, there is also the study of multi-dimensional space, which is theoretical physics. I have collaborated with Edward Witten, so it should be the same." Can it be used?"

He wasn't sure about the latter point.

Zhou Youjin smiled and nodded continuously, feeling very happy. He was usually a low-key person, but now, Zhao Yi wanted to learn about advanced topology, so he came to visit him in the office.

If it were put on other people, it might be bragging.

That's Zhao Yi!

The mathematical genius who used two methods to prove Goldbach's conjecture and locked Fields in advance actually came to visit him and asked him mathematical questions.

This is bragging rights!

Zhou Youjin didn't think so. He wasn't the kind of high-profile person, but he was still very happy and felt a sense of accomplishment in having his research recognized.

Therefore, Zhou Youjin was very generous when talking about topology. He not only answered Zhao Yi's questions in detail, but also explained his own research content in detail.

The two talked for more than two hours.

When he came back to his senses, he realized that it had been such a long time and the whole pot of tea had been drank.

Zhou Youjin checked the time and said, "Why don't we go eat first and let's talk while we eat. There is a restaurant to the west of the school that I often go to. It has private rooms and the food is good."

"good."

The two of them went out together.

Building door.

The middle-aged teacher I met in the corridor was standing with two professors from the Department of Mathematics, whom I had just met. They were just in time for get out of class to end at noon, and the teacher who had finished class was also returning to the office.

The middle-aged teacher met an acquaintance and gossiped about what happened. Basically, "There was a graduate student who gave Zhou Youjin a gift."

The two mathematics professors were also very interested when they heard about it, because Zhou Youjin was a relatively low-key person, and it was rare to hear his gossip spread, whether it was good gossip or bad gossip, it was rare to hear it.

The middle-aged teacher said a few words and described Zhao Yi's appearance. He turned his head and saw Zhou Youjin and Zhao Yi walking out talking and laughing together.

"That's the student!" He suddenly turned around, pointed his head back, and said in a long voice in a low voice.

The two professors looked over immediately.

Zhou Youjin was walking with a young man in his twenties.

The young man had short, lean hair and a generous expression. Talking to Zhou Youjin seemed to be an equal exchange, rather than a relationship between a student and a teacher.

The young man looked familiar.

wrong!

He is very familiar, I definitely know him, he seems to be some kind of celebrity, and he is a top-notch mathematician...

Isn’t that Zhao Yi!

Both professors had met Zhao Yi in person and recognized him at a glance. Their reactions were also consistent, and they glared at the middle-aged teacher almost at the same time.

One of them asked incredulously, "That's what you said, giving gifts to Zhou Youjin. Maybe he is a graduate student who has poor grades and has difficulty graduating, so he just wants to use connections and use the back door?"