Chapter 143 - The Idea of Dual Workpiece Tables
Inside the laboratory, Su Yuanshan unexpectedly ran into someone.
"Uncle Zheng?"
Zheng Zhenchuan was standing with a group of researchers in front of an atomic force microscope, observing something, which surprised Su Yuanshan. Strictly speaking, Zheng's work didn't require the use of an AFM.
The physics lab Su Yuanshan had built wasn't solely for his personal use; it was managed centrally by the Tech Park's laboratory administration. Anyone could use it by submitting an application.
"I came to analyze the surface of silicon wafers after the first exposure," Zheng said with a smile.
"Oh, carry on then," Su Yuanshan said, preparing to leave them alone.
"No worries, we're done," Zheng replied, walking toward Su Yuanshan. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Xiao Su, about that dual workpiece table concept you mentioned last time, we discussed it at the institute. We found the difficulty quite high. Based on current conditions, it seems unfeasible. But if it could be realized, it would indeed be a massive improvement for lithography machines."
"Yeah, exactly. Whether it's feasible or not…" Su Yuanshan smiled. "Let's not overthink it for now. From a design perspective alone, is it possible to design a mechanical system that could work with a lithography machine?"
Zheng laughed, "Of course. As long as it's mechanical, it can be designed. The only question is precision, efficiency, and size."
"Then that's settled," Su Yuanshan said, spreading his hands. "Precision and efficiency don't matter for now; focus on size first. Just get something working."
"It's not something that can be done overnight, though."
"We have time," Su Yuanshan chuckled. "I'm the one paying, and I'm not in a hurry. Even if it takes ten years, so what? If we succeed, it'll be a killer feature, right?"
Zheng nodded with a smile, "Indeed."
Su Yuanshan laughed.
ASML's global dominance wasn't just because they pioneered the 193nm immersion lithography machine — the dual workpiece table was also their signature move. It wasn't until 2020 that China managed to catch up with that feature.
Su Yuanshan understood the difficulty involved, so he wasn't anxious. And frankly, he couldn't afford to be.
Yuanchip's R&D strength and investment were top-tier within China, but compared to foreign giants, there was still a gap. This gap wasn't so much about money as about talent.
Internationally, they had technical heritage, accumulated knowledge, and a broader talent pool. Yuanchip, outside of chip design, could only rely on Su Yuanshan's "visionary foresight" to attempt surpassing others.
In simple terms, Su Yuanshan could help people avoid detours, but no matter how straight the road, it still had to be walked step by step.
Thus, the Tech Park was a money-burning project he was forcing forward. Fortunately, domestic labor was cheap, allowing Yuanchip to easily support over a thousand researchers. But beyond labor costs, everything else was expensive. Between constructing buildings, outfitting labs, and buying etching, polishing, and ion implantation equipment for the cleanrooms — even if most equipment was second-hand — it had still burned through billions of yuan.
And that didn't even include the investments into each research group.
Just then, Su Yuanshan's mobile phone rang. He picked it up and smiled at Zheng, "Uncle Zheng, don't worry about the money — I'll handle that."
"Alright."
Leaving the lab, Su Yuanshan answered the call.
"Hello?"
A slightly nervous but expectant voice came through.
"Hello, Boss!"
Su Yuanshan blinked, then broke into a wide grin. He quickly ducked into an empty office and closed the door.
"Xiao Ye, what made you call me?"
Sitting down at the desk, he smiled warmly.
"Well… I'm enrolling in September."
"Right. I'll come pick you up."
"Ah? No, no, that's too much trouble… Actually, I was wondering, could my friend and I intern at Yuanchip this summer? We don't even need a salary."
Hearing Ye Rudai nervously asking him for a favor, Su Yuanshan couldn't help laughing.
"Sure!"
"Ah?"
"No 'ah-ing'," Su Yuanshan laughed. "When are you coming? I'll arrange for you to work under Senior Brother Xi."
"You mean Professor Xi Xiaoding?"
"Yup."
"Thank you, thank you! We'll come tomorrow!"
Listening to her excitement, Su Yuanshan smiled silently for a few seconds before replying softly, "Call me when you're near the Tech Park. And… there's no need for 'thank you' between us."
In Penang, after hanging up, Ye Rudai patted her flushed cheeks, then turned to her best friend Yu Shuyun, sticking out her tongue, "Gosh, I was so nervous."
"No wonder," Yu Shuyun said, slapping her lightly on the chest. "Let me check your heart rate."
"Get lost, you perv!"
"Wow, it's pounding so hard!"
"You try calling him then!" Ye Rudai shoved her friend's hand away and offered the phone.
"I'm not you. What's the big deal?" Yu Shuyun huffed. "Wait till tomorrow. I'll show you how fearless I am. So what if he's a genius? Doesn't mean he's some god."
"Alright, big talker, just wait."
The two girls laughed and teased each other, then got busy packing.
Halfway through, Ye Rudai suddenly paused, frowning slightly and wrinkling her nose. She asked hesitantly, "Shuyun, do you think we should bring a gift?"
Yu Shuyun was taken aback. "No need, right? We're going there to intern, not to pay a social visit."
"But he's doing us a favor."
"Please, we're working for free!"
Ye Rudai thought about it. Yeah, she had practically offered to intern without pay...
Still, remembering that Su Yuanshan had promised to arrange for them to work under Professor Xi, she felt that even unpaid work was a bargain.
"Never mind then, we'll just go."
That night, they shared a bed and were woken up early by Ye Rudai's father.
The trip from Penang to the provincial capital wasn't far — just over 300 kilometers — but the provincial roads were terrible. Even without traffic jams, it would take seven or eight hours. With traffic, there was no telling.
After a bumpy ride, the car finally pulled up at the gates of Yuanchip's Tech Park around 5 PM.
Sitting in the back left seat, Ye Rudai immediately spotted a young man standing under a giant umbrella at the security booth, chatting casually with a guard.
He was tall, wearing a short-sleeved plaid shirt, jeans, and sneakers, with his hands stuffed into his pockets.
Hearing the car approach, Su Yuanshan turned around. When he saw the car windows roll down on both sides, he blinked for a second before breaking into a bright smile.
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