Chapter 486: Should We Watch a Simple-Setting Movie Together?

In the lab, Xu Xu Qingzhou did not join Carson and the others in casual chat; his attention was fixed on the parameter panel.

CVD growth: heat to 1050°C in an H/Ar (flow ratio 1:10) atmosphere, introduce CH₄ (10 sccm) for growth, then wait four hours.

After completing the first step, Xu Xu Qingzhou stayed in the lab while Carson and the other two went to eat; soon, only the low hum of running equipment remained.

He carefully checked the equipment's operational status, then turned and went to the adjacent office, turned on the computer, and reviewed the CVD growth data.

Seeing all data was normal, he pulled out the documentation on NBSN thin film preparation from his bag.

Two major issues arise during the experiment: interfacial stress and composition control—both determine the film's ultimate performance.

For the former, Xu Xu Qingzhou had previously used low-temperature ALD and graded annealing to reduce the coefficient of thermal expansion.

Though originally applied to silicon-based quantum dots, the principle remains the same—better to try.

Composition control is more troublesome.

Extensive adjustments are needed: precursor optimization, sample replacement, plasma parameter tuning, etc. —for now, only preparation is possible; all adjustments must wait until the first round of experimental data is in.

At 3 p. m., Xu Xu Qingzhou and Carson re-entered the lab.

After cooling to 300°C, spin-coat a PMMA protective layer.

Finally, transfer to electrochemical exfoliation of copper foil, retrieve graphene onto the SiO₂/Si substrate, and remove PMMA with acetone.

This step takes about two hours.

Leaving Carson to monitor the equipment, Xu Xu Qingzhou returned to the office to check on other research groups' progress.

Research groups working on cutting-edge experiments act like "detectives," tracking rivals' moves—this can accelerate scientific breakthroughs; competition brings pressure.

Of course, it might also shatter one's Dao heart.

For instance, once at Princeton, Xu Xu Qingzhou was running data in the lab when suddenly he heard loud shouting in the hallway.

He stepped out and saw a senior researcher weeping bitterly.

Later, he learned the man had planned two innovations: after months of work, his first innovation was published in Nature by another group.

He immediately switched to his second innovation, but after about a month, discovered it had been published in Science by someone else.

Under this double blow, he broke down.

Of course, in research, even minor overlaps can be patched and still published.

But Xu Xu Qingzhou's group faced no such issue.

Princeton's research focused on two-dimensional superconducting films—specifically topological superconductivity and Majorana zero modes—aiming to reduce interfacial defect density by 90% to advance fault-tolerant quantum computing.

Japan targeted niobium nitride (NbN) films, hoping to enhance magnetic field resistance and extend coherence time beyond 400 microseconds.

China's current research focused on high-temperature superconducting films, aiming to design quantum chips that require no ultra-low-temperature equipment.

In superconducting films, the new round of competition had just begun; everyone seemed to have made no critical progress yet.

At 4 p. m.

Sun Sun Simin and Ma Ma Ersi entered after class.

Xu Xu Qingzhou handed them two manuscripts: "Here's a reading list. I expect you to finish all three within a month."

The experiment on substrate-free NBSN thin films based on ALD and graphene substrates involves theories and methods from multiple mathematical fields.

Ordinary and partial differential equations are needed to model sample reactions during the experiment, predict film growth rates, along with linear algebra and statistical regression analysis.

Since you've joined the lab, you can't just be flunkies or lucky charms.

"Ah, Professor, are you sure you're not joking? Three books in a month?"

Ma Ma Ersi grimaced.

"Of course. A month from now, I'll test you. If you fail, I won't mind saving on your salary—you know our group's funding is tight; we don't need people who only know how to wipe tables." Xu Xu Qingzhou smiled.

He still decided to apply some pressure—these two had talent; they could handle it.

"Ahh~"

Ma Ma Ersi looked utterly defeated.

Sun Sun Simin, by contrast, took a deep breath, brimming with determination: "Professor, I won't let you down!"

"I… alright, guess this month will be painful."

Ma Ma Ersi stared at the three thick books, then at Sun Sun Simin beside him, radiating drive—he'd have to create a miracle to master all three in a month.

Xu Xu Qingzhou shrugged. "Okay. Rather than daydreaming, I suggest you start now."

At 5 p. m., after handing the lab over to Carson, Xu Xu Qingzhou drove to buy groceries, then went home to cook—Song Yao was on her period; he'd be her caretaker for a while.

When the sun hung low in the west, they'd finished eating; Xu Xu Qingzhou washed the dishes and joined Song Yao on the couch.

Song Yao was curled in Xu Xu Qingzhou's arms, scrolling through her phone, replying to messages from her overseas friends.

After replying, she pressed her face against his chest and closed her eyes to rest.

She realized that since being with Xu Xu Qingzhou, she'd grown increasingly "fragile"—when tired from work, she liked to lean on him and complain; even things she could carry herself, she'd pout and ask him to fetch.

Song Yao rubbed against him a few times, finding a more comfortable position to cling.

Back in high school, when moving desks for exams, she'd lift dozens of kilograms without a second thought—always did it herself.

Now she was hopelessly addicted to male charm.

Who could've imagined she'd one day whimper in a boy's arms?

Xu Xu Qingzhou held the girl, leaning back on the sofa; after a long day, cuddling with Song Yao, he felt utterly relaxed.

After a while, he murmured: "Don't move."

Song Yao, pressed against him, kept rubbing back and forth.

Song Yao stiffened, noticing his change. She bit her lip, rose from him. "Let's watch a movie."

Pfft, pervert.

She fumbled with the remote for a long time, then handed it to him: "Any movie you want to watch?"

"I thought of one?"

"What?"

"A classic—I used to watch it often. What's it called again? That one, with a few actors, simple setting."

Xu Xu Qingzhou stroked his chin.

Thud~

Xu Xu Qingzhou took a headbutt.

"Your forehead made of iron?" Xu Xu Qingzhou winced, rubbing his chest.

"I'll knock you dead!"

Song Yao glared. "Xu Xu Qingzhou, are you always thinking about this nonsense?"

"What was I thinking? You don't think I meant some kind of educational film, do you?"

"Isn't that what you meant?"

"I meant 'The Man from Earth.'"

Xu Xu Qingzhou pinched Song Yao's cheek, speaking softly: "Little Song, you're the one who twisted it. Of course, if you really want to watch one, I'll join you."

Xu Xu Qingzhou thought this had potential—he'd never watched a small movie with Song Yao yet.

Hmm, promising.

(End of chapter)