Word: bomb
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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...fission-fusion (H-bomb) explosions, a large part of the released energy appears in the form of high-speed neutrons. Since the neutrons are small and have no electric charge to make atoms repel them, they can penetrate a great deal of matter. So they escape from the fireball and travel a mile or more through the air. They are deadly killers, but existing H-bombs, which are bulky and require fission detonators, generate so much heat and blast that the neutrons they manufacture are lost in the general destruction...
High Temperature. If a small, pure-fusion bomb could be built to work with out a fission detonator, theorists believe that it would send its neutrons farther than the destructive reach of its heat or blast. Starting with 14 MEV (million electron volts) of energy, the neutrons would traverse about a half-mile of air and still have enough punch to kill humans protected by several feet of earth or concrete. There would be blast and heat too, but if the N-bomb was just the right size and was exploded at just the right height above the ground...
...such pure-fusion (neutron) bombs be built? As Senator Dodd remarked, scientists will not say that the job is impossible (TIME, Feb. 10). But nearly all agree that it is extremely difficult. Since N-bombs cannot have fission detonators and still act like N-bombs, some other detonator must be found that can raise the temperature of the fusion ingredients to some 1,000,000° C. so that they can start to react. So far, no chemical explosive or other nonfission detonator has remotely approached this temperature. Until something comes near this goal, there is little point in demanding...
Devastating Effect. A few proponents of the N-bomb have hinted that the Atomic Energy Commission's scientists, under the direction of Chairman Glenn Seaborg, are not making enough effort to develop it-because they think it cannot or should not be done. Responsible officials in many branches of the Government are quick to respond with categorical denials. Admiral John T. Hayward, head of Navy research and development, says that the AEC's labs are doing all they can, and doing it well. Senators on the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy agree. All authorities insist that while other...
Whenever it is ready, the N-bomb will be a deadly weapon. It would have no ordinary fallout, but its neutrons themselves would make many things radioactive, and the intensity of this effect would depend on the local character of the soil and buildings. Attacking troops might have to wait hours or days before moving in to the enemy's undamaged fortifications...