The Science Fiction World of Xueba

After reaching a consensus on cooperation with Witten, Pang Xuelin stayed in Princeton for a few more days.

In the past few days, Witten mainly explained to Pang Xuelin some of his ideas on m-theory, and Pang Xuelin established the mathematical structure model of this theory through the method of Ponzi geometry.

Although Pang Xuelin has seen related concepts and ideas of m-theory in the real world, he is not a theoretical physicist after all, and his accumulation in physics is far less profound than that of Witten.

Moreover, there must be some differences between the m-theory re-established through Ponzi geometry and the m-theory in the real world.

Therefore, in the past few days, Pang Xuelin also brought out the relevant concepts of m-theory in the real world to discuss with Edward Witten.

In this way, Witten was pleasantly surprised.

Because many of the ideas proposed by Pang Xuelin coincided with what he thought of himself, and some ideas even Witten himself had never thought of.

After a few days of discussion, the two sorted out their respective division of labor.

Witten is mainly responsible for the theoretical work. He proposed a new idea, and then Pang Xuelin established the corresponding mathematical structure through Ponzi geometry, and then deduced whether the theory is true through the mathematical calculation results.

Since Pang Xuelin also had to participate in media activities and go to various universities to give reports, the two had to agree to communicate via email once a week.

Fortunately, in this era, the United States has established the backbone Internet nsf between universities. In academia, the use of e-mail has become a common phenomenon.

Therefore, Pang Xuelin does not have to worry about how to contact Witten in a short time.

The question is, how to contact Pang Xuelin after returning to China?

China's Internet had to wait until April 20, 1994, when ncfc passed the 64k dedicated line of sprint in the United States to realize its full-featured connection with the international Internet.

Although China completed the sending of the first national e-mail as early as 1986, there are only a small number of computers in China that can be connected to foreign countries, and most of them are limited to a few units such as the Institute of Computer Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences. question.

"Pang, if you stay in Princeton for half a year, within half a year, we will definitely produce results!"

In the coffee shop, Edward Witten, who was sitting opposite Pang Xuelin, suggested.

Pang Xuelin shook his head and said with a wry smile: "This is not possible, there are still a lot of things in our country? Besides, I brought my sister to the United States this time. I can't stay in the United States by myself and let her go back alone."

Although it is very interesting to co-create m-theory with Witten, Pang Xuelin has not forgotten his mission to enter this world.

My most important job is to improve the level of education in poor areas of the country.

Therefore, it is impossible for him to stay abroad for a long time.

Witten frowned, then raised his head suddenly and said: "Otherwise, since you can't stay in the United States for a long time, then I might as well go to China. I'll find a teaching position at Shuimu or Peking University. If that's the case, we can Have you guaranteed the research progress?"

"Are you sure you want to go to China?"

Pang Xuelin was slightly taken aback, and said in surprise.

Witten laughed and said, "Where to go is not research,

I have a hunch that with your participation, our new theory will definitely shock the world! "

Pang Xuelin laughed and said, "Okay, let's make an agreement. When I finish my trip in the United States, let's go back to China together!"

"Then it's settled!"

Witten raised his coffee cup and touched Pang Xuelin lightly. The two looked at each other and smiled.

...

After having dinner with Witten, Pang Xuelin went back to the hotel room and directly called Xie Yongxin, the president of the Chinese Mathematical Society, and told him about Witten's idea of ​​going to China.

"What, Edward Witten is going to China?"

Xie Yongxin suddenly stood up from the sofa, and said in disbelief.

Pang Xuelin smiled and said: "Yes, there is a subject that he needs to cooperate with me in research, and I can't stay abroad for a long time, so I have to let him come to China. I’m not familiar with it, so I don’t know which unit to contact is better.”

Xie Yongxin looked at Pang Xuelin dully, and it took him a long time to recover.

In later generations, it is not uncommon for Fields Medal winners or Nobel Prize winners to come to China to work, but in this era, it is almost the only one for a Philippine Award winner and a top theoretical physicist to work in China.

Xie Yongxin asked curiously: "Mr. Pang, what kind of subject will Professor Witten cooperate with you to research?"

Pang Xuelin said: "It's mainly about superstring theory."

Xie Yongxin nodded and said: "If Professor Witten wants to go to China, I believe that no matter which unit will welcome it, the key is you, Mr. Pang, where are you going to work next? If you confirm the unit, then I think Professor Witten will definitely go to the same unit as you."

"Myself……"

Pang Xuelin lowered his head and pondered.

Pang Xuelin knew very well that after he returned to China, it was basically impossible for him to return to Lingziding Village and continue to serve as his elementary school teacher.

Even if he has this wish, the country cannot allow it.

A mathematician at the level of a Philippine award master, and then he will be a rural teacher, and he will be laughed to death internationally.

Then finding a suitable school or scientific research unit to be affiliated with became a problem that Pang Xuelin urgently needed to consider.

Pang Xuelin pondered for a moment, then raised his head and said, "President Xie, I'm going to Tsinghua University."

"Go to Tsinghua University, why? Peking University is the best major in mathematics and physics."

Xie Yongxin was slightly taken aback.

Traditionally speaking, whether it is mathematics or physics, in this era, Peking University is better than Tsinghua University.

Originally, both Peking University and Tsinghua University were comprehensive universities in history, but in 1958, the colleges were adjusted, and the science departments of capital universities dominated by Tsinghua University, Peking University, and Yenching University were adjusted to Peking University; the engineering departments were adjusted to Tsinghua University.

Therefore, in the 40 years from 1960 to 2000, Peking University was the university with the highest comprehensive level of arts and sciences in China, and Tsinghua University was the university with the highest comprehensive level of engineering.

Pang Xuelin said with a smile: "Because Peking University's mathematics and physics majors are strong enough, it was not easy for us to use our hands and feet in the past. It is better to go to Tsinghua University to feel comfortable."

Having said that, Pang Xuelin is very clear that the reason why he chose Tsinghua University is because Tsinghua University's engineering background is more suitable for him to use in the future.

In this regard, Xie Yongxin can only lament his talent and humanity.

With Pang Xuelin's current academic status, although he can't be said to be crushed in the domestic academic circles, most people really have nothing to do with him.

Xie Yongxin smiled and said, "Well, I happen to know the principal Luan Jingtong of Tsinghua University quite well. Would you like me to say hello for you in advance?"

"Okay, President Xie, then I will trouble you."