Chapter 134: Is This Toy Really That Powerful?

Next, he turned to Transistor Technology, which was much more complex than Vacuum Tubes, but now he had a clear understanding in his mind:

"List of Transistor manufacturing equipment:

Semiconductor material preparation equipment: Zone Melting Furnace, Single Crystal Pulling Device

Doping equipment: Diffusion Furnace, Ion Implanter

Photolithography equipment: Ultraviolet Light Source, Precision Alignment Device

Etching equipment: Chemical Etching Tank, Plasma Etching Machine

Metallization equipment: Vacuum Evaporation Coating Machine

Packaging equipment: Precision Welding Machine, Resin Packaging Equipment

Testing equipment: Semiconductor Parameter Tester, Micro Probe Station

Manufacturing process:

Material preparation: Purify silicon or germanium to make high-purity single crystal rods

Slicing: Cut the single crystal rod into thin slices (wafers)

Oxidation: Generate an oxide layer on the wafer surface

Photolithography: Use photoresist and masks to define patterns on the wafer

Doping: Dope impurities (such as phosphorus, boron) into specific areas to form PN junctions

Metallization: Deposit metal layers to form electrode contacts

Dicing: Cut the wafer into individual Transistor Chips

Packaging: Fix the Chip onto a lead frame and perform external packaging

Testing: Test the various electrical parameters of the Transistor"

Li Mingyuan wrote rapidly, fearing he would omit any details.

Under existing conditions, it was entirely possible to begin production of Vacuum Tubes, but Transistor manufacturing faced more challenges, especially regarding high-purity materials and precision equipment.

"Need to start with simple Point-Contact Transistors," he muttered to himself, "this type of early Transistor structure is relatively simple, has lower requirements for equipment, and is suitable for our current stage."

He added some specific parameters and manufacturing details regarding Point-Contact Transistors to ensure that even under limited technical conditions, basic production could be achieved.

When Li Mingyuan finally closed his notebook, the sky outside the window was already full of stars.

He looked at the clock on the wall and was surprised to find it was already past 11 o'clock at night.

"Vacuum Tubes and Transistors, these are the technologies that truly change the world. With these two foundations, Computers, Advanced Radar, communication equipment... everything will become possible."

Li Mingyuan's hand holding the pen stopped, his gaze sweeping once more over the dense circuit diagrams and manufacturing processes in the notebook.

Vacuum Tubes and Transistors, these are the keys that can truly push this era toward the next industrial revolution.

However, these would have to be put aside for now.

"With Transistors, in the future, it might even be possible to make handheld Computers..." Li Mingyuan rubbed his sore eyes and muttered to himself,

"But let's solve the matter at hand first, one step at a time."

One week later, at the test range outside the Rolling Mill, the area was surrounded by high earthen slopes to prevent accidents from causing harm.

This temporary test site was urgently coordinated by Minister Zhao, and to ensure test results, professional target equipment was specially brought in from the Military.

Early in the morning, Li Mingyuan and the technical team arrived at the site to conduct final checks and adjustments on the Ultra-light Mortar.

This piece of work was the crystallization of his overnight rush, made of special Aluminum-Magnesium-Lithium Alloy, its exterior presenting a faint silver-gray, glowing with a soft luster under the sunlight.

"Chief Engineer Li, why is it so small? Can it really fire?" A young Technician looked somewhat skeptically at the weapon, which was a size smaller than traditional Mortars.

Li Mingyuan smiled and was just about to answer when a commotion in the distance interrupted him.

Over a dozen military jeeps and several black sedans drove into the test range, and a group of high-ranking officers in military uniforms and some middle-aged men in plain clothes stepped out—evidently, the Military high-level officials and experts had arrived.

Minister Zhao walked over quickly, followed by a Lieutenant General with graying temples and several Military Experts.

"Chief Engineer Li, this is Zhou, the person in charge of the logistics department, who has come specifically to see your new invention," Minister Zhao introduced.

Li Mingyuan stood at attention and saluted, "Greetings, Zhou!"

Zhou returned the salute, but his gaze fell on the Mortar placed on the ground, and his brows immediately furrowed.

"This is the new type of Mortar you said could change the battlefield landscape?" Zhou's voice carried obvious skepticism, "It looks a size smaller than the ones we have in active service."

Several accompanying Military Experts also gathered around, all with puzzled expressions on their faces.

"So small, the barrel is only a meter or so, right? How far can it shoot?" A person who looked like a weapons expert bent down to look at the barrel and asked while straightening up.

"Reporting to the leaders, the maximum range is 4000 meters, and the effective range is 3500 meters," Li Mingyuan replied.

"4000 meters?" The expert scoffed, "Our active-duty mm Mortar only has a range of 2500 meters; can this little thing of yours shoot 4000 meters? It might be fine to talk about on the blueprints, but it might not work in reality, right?"

Another expert squatted down, lifted the Mortar, and said in surprise: "So light? How heavy is it?"

"Total weight is 15 kilograms, leader," Li Mingyuan answered.

"What?!" The expert almost dropped the mortar, hurriedly placing it back on the ground with an incredulous look,

"A traditional mm Mortar is at least 30 kilograms; yours is not even half that? What material is this made of?"

"Special Aluminum-Magnesium-Lithium Alloy, leader. The strength of this alloy is close to steel, but the weight is only one-third."

A chorus of questioning voices rose around them:

"Can it withstand the impact of firing a shell being so light? Will the barrel explode?"

"What is the initial velocity of the shell? With it being so light, can the recoil be controlled?"

"Can this material withstand high temperatures? Will it deform after continuous firing?"

Li Mingyuan did not rush to explain, but turned to Minister Zhao, "Minister, the test preparations are ready, may we begin?"

Minister Zhao looked at Zhou, and after receiving a nod from him, announced loudly: "The test begins!"

"Please everyone step back a bit, watch your safety." Li Mingyuan signaled for everyone to retreat to a safe area, then stood next to the Mortar and began his demonstration.

He first took a shell from the ammunition box beside him—a light shell that had also been specially designed, one circle smaller than traditional shells but more streamlined.

"Now I will demonstrate individual carrying and setup." Li Mingyuan picked up the Mortar with one hand and held several shells in the other, walking around with ease as if the heavy weapon were merely an ordinary piece of luggage.

The observing officers whispered to one another, clearly surprised that one person could carry a complete Mortar so easily.

Traditionally, the barrel, bipod, and baseplate of a Mortar needed to be separated and carried by multiple people.

Li Mingyuan walked to the designated position, set down the Mortar, quickly unfolded the tripod, adjusted the level, and checked the aiming device.

The entire process was smooth and fluid, completed in one go.

"Start the timer!" Minister Zhao said to the secretary beside him.

"Thirty-two seconds!" the secretary reported in surprise, "From picking it up to completing the setup, it only took thirty-two seconds!"

The officers looked at each other in dismay; the setup of a traditional Mortar usually required three to five minutes and involved the cooperation of multiple people.