143: Chapter 143 Improvement Plan Approved!

Kyoto.

Rocket Engineering Base.

"What? An optical lens was created on the very first day?" Zhao Chengping listened to Chang Hongsheng's report, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"That's right, I didn't expect it either. This guy really exceeded everyone's expectations. It's as if he just touched this field; he wasn't even familiar with the machinery at first, but he adapted just by reading the operation manual once, and then went straight into practical operation to create a high-end lens that can be used for a 45nm Lithography Machine!!"

Chang Hongsheng's tone carried a hint of emotion; it felt hard to believe even as he said it.

"Is it that easy? I remember that existing domestic optical materials shouldn't be enough to support a breakthrough for a high-end lens of this specification, right?"

"Exactly. Zhou Fan developed a Transparent Ceramic Crystal Material himself. It's precisely because of this material that he could make a high-end lens suitable for a 45nm Lithography Machine!" Chang Hongsheng explained simply, his excitement hard to hide.

"Good, very good!" A smile appeared on Zhao Chengping's face as he nodded repeatedly.

"This little fellow is constantly giving us surprises. It's truly hard to imagine!"

"High-precision lithography machines are crucial to the country's future layout in the high-end precision technology field. If a breakthrough can really be made... it will surely bring an immeasurable impact to the domestic high-tech industry!"

"Do you think he has a possibility of success?"

Zhao Chengping looked at Chang Hongsheng, his expression gradually becoming serious as he asked in a low voice.

Chang Hongsheng hesitated slightly, then his tone also became serious as he spoke:

"I know Zhou Fan reasonably well. I don't think he would do something he isn't confident about. Whether it's Fanmi Technology's self-developed system or the self-developed chip announced a while ago, he carved out a path where it seemed impossible!"

"If he's determined to work on a lithography machine, I think he must have a certain level of confidence!"

Listening to Chang Hongsheng's words, Zhao Chengping nodded slightly, but then shook his head with a complex expression.

"I'm afraid it's not as easy as you imagine. You know the state of domestic high-end equipment. Often, it's not that our researchers aren't smart enough, nor that they don't work hard, but that hardware conditions limit their performance..."

"Otherwise, so many scientific scholars wouldn't have gone abroad in those years. The environment wasn't good enough, and many things were out of necessity. Although things are much better now, we are still walking a difficult path due to the constraints of Western countries!"

Hearing this, Chang Hongsheng couldn't help but nod. He naturally knew these circumstances, but then he thought of Zhou Fan's desire to improve the equipment before he returned.

He pondered for a moment and spoke again: "Regardless, if even a monstrous genius like Zhou Fan can't do it, this field might have to wait a very long time—maybe 5 years... 10 years... or even 20 years. The gap between us and foreign countries might only grow larger. We might as well let him have a go!!"

As he spoke, Chang Hongsheng's eyes flickered with light, and his tone became increasingly solemn.

"Before I came back, Zhou Fan said he wanted to improve the existing Laser. If successful, it might actually realize 45nm lithography technology. Of course, the possibility of failure is also high, and a piece of cutting-edge equipment might be scrapped because of it!"

"However, I think we can let him try!"

"Improve the equipment?" Zhao Chengping was stunned for a moment, then frowned.

As the Chief Engineer of the rocket engineering project, he had experienced countless projects of all sizes. Improving equipment was not something he hadn't tried before.

In fact, a few years ago, it was a perfectly normal operation.

When existing equipment couldn't meet the hardware manufacturing requirements, one had to find a way. If you couldn't get the top-tier equipment, you modified what you had until it worked; that was also a way to solve problems.

Thinking of this, he nodded slightly.

"Trading one piece of equipment for a possibility is not a losing deal. Since you have so much confidence, I can go and have a word with those old fellows at the Academy's Institute of Optoelectronics to give him the best resources!!"

"That's great!!"

Chang Hongsheng nodded, a trace of excitement welling up in his heart.

"Keep an eye on this matter. Remember to report any progress to me!"

"Yes!!"

...

...

Haicheng Institute of Optics and Machinery.

Inside the experimental discussion room, Zhou Fan was sorting out the Laser improvement plan with a focused and solemn expression.

Just then, someone pushed the door open and entered.

Lan Bowen had a hint of excitement on his face, holding a document in his hand.

"Engineer Zhou, our improvement plan application has been approved! Not only that, but the higher-ups have also issued instructions to provide the best resources and fully cooperate with your project!"

Zhou Fan looked up, a light flashing in his eyes.

"So fast?" He actually hadn't expected it to go so smoothly.

After all, they were going to modify a piece of cutting-edge equipment. Such machines were treasures to the country, and yet they were giving full cooperation?

If this were his past life, this kind of treatment would be considered normal.

But now, it couldn't help but make him a little curious.

"I was a bit unsure at first too, so I asked for details. It's said that someone put in a word with the higher-ups, which is why it went so smoothly!"

"Someone put in a word?" Zhou Fan thought for a moment.

He soon figured it out; it must have been Chang Hongsheng's doing.

After all, among those who had a good relationship with him and could speak to the higher-ups, there were only a few people from the rocket engineering project. It wasn't hard to guess.

His heart suddenly felt a surge of enthusiasm.

Immediately, his gaze became determined.

"In that case, let's start as soon as possible!" He spoke in a low voice, "Using Immersion Lithography plus Multiple Exposure is the fastest way to achieve 45nm lithography technology right now!"

After understanding the domestic light source technology, he already realized that it was almost impossible to truly build a 45nm Lithography Machine in a short time.

Even if it could be made in a laboratory, it couldn't be put into mass production.

The equipment conditions were too poor.

The only way was to complete 45nm lithography technology on the basis of existing equipment through the improvement of some core technologies.

This was also the only possibility for achieving mass production!

Afterward, the equipment could be upgraded slowly!

"Can you tell us more in detail?"

At this time, He Xingwei also walked into the discussion room.

Zhou Fan looked at the two of them, nodded slightly, and spoke again: "My idea is to first improve the ArF Excimer Laser, developing a 248nm light source plus Double Exposure to replace the 193nm Laser!"

"Of course, this alternative requires very high precision, but that problem can be solved by optimizing the operating system!"

"The specific research direction is... using a Narrow Linewidth Semiconductor Laser as a 'seed' to amplify and then improve the tiling purity..."

"Using Maglev Electrodes to reduce physical corrosion, gas flow field simulation to optimize turbulence control... an FPGA-based feedback system to adjust voltage/gas ratio per pulse..."

"..."

As Zhou Fan explained, Lan Bowen and He Xingwei's expressions became more and more serious, and they subconsciously took out notebooks to record everything.

In the entire discussion room, only the sound of Zhou Fan's voice and the rustling of writing remained.