Weapons Radiochemistry: Trinity and Beyond

TL;DR

This paper discusses the development of weapons radiochemistry through experiments conducted during the Trinity nuclear test, establishing foundational methods for measuring nuclear device performance.

Contribution

It introduces a series of radiochemical experiments that measured efficiency and neutron fluence, pioneering techniques in weapons radiochemistry.

Findings

Established baseline radiochemical measurement techniques

Provided detailed data on neutron fluence and efficiency

Laid groundwork for future nuclear diagnostics

Abstract

On July 16, 1945, the Trinity nuclear test exploded in the desert near Alamogordo, NM. A variety of new diagnostic experiments were fielded in an effort to understand the detailed performance of the nuclear device. This article describes a series of radiochemical experiments that were designed to measure the efficiency and neutron fluence of the test. These experiments, and the scientists who led them, laid the foundation of weapons radiochemistry for decades to come.