Chapter 8, Boldface.

380 to 780 nanometers

zero

You may also try other wavelengths, Lou Qi reminded

Do you still remember the principles of the electron microscope

The glove box is equipped with X-ray and gamma-ray guns, which are generally used by Liang Jing for mineral element analysis, while Mo Yu uses them to promote genetic mutations in biological cells. She is quite familiar with the process, remotely controlling the X-ray gun to slowly extend, aiming the muzzle at the sphere on the tray. The originally transparent six sides of the box quickly turn opaque black, both to facilitate light sensitivity and to prevent radiation leakage.

"There is a photon that we can all detect," Liang Jing shook his head, "but there is not a single one."

In terms of human observation methods, there has been virtually no fundamental change for hundreds of thousands of years. One million seven hundred thousand years ago, the Yuanmou people relied on sunlight, starlight, and firelight to observe their environment. The light in the natural environment is diffusely reflected in this world, ultimately being received by the human eye, focused by the lens onto the retina, and finally converted into images in the brain

The number is still zero

"We have also considered this," Liang Jing said, "The bigger issue is that it not only absorbs electrons; we discovered this while conducting basic measurements: the short pulse laser used for measuring length disappears without a trace as soon as it comes into contact with the surface of this material... Later, we tried other wavelengths of light, including infrared, ultraviolet, and even X-rays and gamma rays, all of which vanished without a return.

In nature, there is no true absolute black body; a black body is merely an ideal theoretical model. Moreover, even a black body emits radiation. Not only black bodies, but black holes do as well. However, this entity does not emit radiation, which completely contradicts thermodynamics. Hu Donghai shook his head, stating, "We have exhausted all means and tested thoroughly, ultimately concluding that all electromagnetic waves with wavelengths below 380 nanometers and above 780 nanometers are completely absorbed by this sphere."

Indeed, the electron gun of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) generates a high-energy focused electron beam that irradiates the surface of the sample, and the reflected signals are received, processed, and converted into images. Chairman Hu Donghai placed his hand on the monitor, and above the black sphere was the field emission electron gun. "This is actually the fundamental principle of all our observation methods: emitting a beam of light and then receiving the light that is reflected back... But what if no light is reflected back?"

There is something even more terrifying. Liang Jing said, "This is the third key point we are going to discuss next... It not only absorbs electromagnetic waves, but also absorbs mechanical waves"

The glass box remained completely still, with six dark smart light-sensitive panels as clear and transparent as ink-colored glass. Mo Yu circled around the glove compartment; regardless of what happened after the X-rays interacted with the black sphere—whether absorbed, scattered, or transmitted—as long as there was a catch of fish, it would inevitably strike the surrounding light-sensitive panels, allowing those outside to see.

Then we will not be able to see it

Isn't it terrifying? Liang Jing let out a cold laugh, a smile that inexplicably reminded one of the muscle spasms of a deceased person's face

Mo Yu reduced the wavelength from 0.2 nanometers all the way down to 0.005 nanometers, causing the emitted X-rays to transition from extremely soft to extremely hard, yet the number displayed on the monitor remained unchanged

Mo Yu faintly sensed something

This interval sounds very familiar to her, but she cannot recall what it is at the moment

Mo Yu nodded in silence

Mr. Hu Donghailiang respectfully observed a few individuals standing by, each of whom had performed these operations once, yet the results showed no differences

I thought of black body. "Mo Yu said, a substance that can completely absorb electromagnetic waves does indeed evoke such associations

Mo Yu adjusted the angle of the gun barrel, changing it from vertical to an inclined position, experimenting little by little, until finally the gun barrel was almost parallel to the surface of the black ball

Mo Yu stared blankly and nodded, "I remember it was the launch of the electron..."

The numbers on the display suddenly surged upward

I want to give it a try, "Mo Yu said.

X-rays cannot penetrate it, nor can they escape from it; all X-rays evaporate into thin air the moment they come into contact with this black sphere. The same applies to gamma rays, which have even higher energy. Director Hu Donghai turned off the X-ray irradiation system, and the walls of the glove box returned to being colorless and transparent. "It does not resemble a tangible object; rather, it appears to be a void, with all electromagnetic waves directed towards it escaping through this hole, resulting in neither reflection nor transmission.

Mo Yu ignited the fire and simply aimed the X-ray gun at the photosensitive plate. In an instant, the photosensitive plate lit up, with countless bright spots jumping wildly, resembling a pot that had boiled over.

Without feedback and the omnipresent reflection, the human eye would see nothing at all

Mo Yu adjusted the wavelength to 0.2 nanometers, a wavelength close to the upper limit of X-rays, and then pressed the switch

The number displayed on the monitor is zero

This indicates that the X-rays disappeared within this closed box, and not a single fish escaped.

For hundreds of thousands of years, the tools used by humanity have become increasingly advanced, and the energy harnessed has grown ever higher, ranging from the sunlight of nature to the artificial light of fire, from firelight to electric light, from photons to electrons. The objects that need to be observed have become smaller, the magnification required has increased, and the energy needed has correspondingly risen. However, regardless of how advanced the technology becomes, the logic of observation has remained unchanged.

The machine is not broken

Director Hu smiled as he spoke, remarking that this speculation was indeed too far-fetched, even he himself did not believe it

"Indeed, it is visible light," Liang Jing said in a low voice. "This precisely falls within the wavelength range of visible light. This black sphere absorbs almost all electromagnetic waves, yet it uniquely reflects the visible light detectable by the human eye, which is why we can see it"

The machine is on. Mo Yu stared at the black ball in the box

Are you powered on?" Lou Qi peeked in for a glance

When Liang Jing used X-rays for elemental analysis, the photosensitive plate would be filled with jumping noise, resembling an old television with no signal.

"As you wish." Liang Jing stepped back, yielding his position.

At this moment, Mo Yu finally realized why these few men had chosen this place; it must be that their worldview had been overturned, and stepping outside would likely lead to unsteady footing.

Mo Yu answered instinctively

Mo Yu does not have a background in physics, but she has certainly heard of the renowned black body model

Yes. Chairman Hu pointed to the black ball in the box, stating, "There is no electronic reflection coming back."

Could it be that the scattering is too weak

Mo Yu's scalp suddenly exploded

It is possible that this material has the property of absorbing electrons, interacting with them ... ... '' Mo Yu reacted quickly, immediately considering a possibility

Modern humanity has the capability to construct massive accelerators and colliders with diameters exceeding hundreds of kilometers. They fill underground tunnels, hundreds of meters deep, with low-temperature superconducting magnets. The energy of the proton beams they emit exceeds one trillion electron volts. They collide protons with protons, then receive the signals generated from the collisions, and finally convert these into results

This logic is feedback