Approximating the r-process on earth with thermonuclear explosions

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:7289008

Becker, S A

The astrophysical r-process can be approximately simulated in certain types of thermonuclear explosions. Between 1952 and 1969 twenty-three nuclear tests were fielded by the United States which had as one of their objectives the production of heavy transuranic elements. Of these tests, fifteen were at least partially successful. Some of these shots were conducted under the project Plowshare Peaceful Nuclear Explosion Program as scientific research experiments. A review of the program, target nuclei used, and heavy element yields achieved, will be presented as well as discussion of plans for a new experiment in a future nuclear test.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 7289008
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-92-1783; CONF-9206249--1; ON: DE92017409
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450200* -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Nuclear Explosions & Explosives
661300 -- Other Aspects of Physical Science-- (1992-)
663300 -- Nuclear Reactions & Scattering
General-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
EARTH PLANET
ELEMENTS
EXPLOSIONS
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
PLANETS
PRODUCTION
R PROCESS
SIMULATION
STAR EVOLUTION
THERMONUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS