Critical Assembly

A Technical History of Los Alamos During the Oppenheimer Years, 1943 1945

By: Lillian Hoddeson, Paul W. Henriksen, Roger A. Meade

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Paperback | 8 June 2004

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528 Pages

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22.86 x 15.24 x 3.0

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This volume is a lucid and accurate history of the technical research that led to the first atomic bombs. The authors explore how the 'critical assembly' of scientists, engineers and military personnel at Los Alamos, responding to wartime deadlines, collaborated to create a new approach to large-scale research. The book opens with an introduction laying out major themes. After a synopsis of the prehistory of the bomb project, from the discovery of nuclear fission to the start of the Manhattan Engineer District, and an overview of the early materials programme, the book examines the establishment of the Los Alamos Laboratory, the implosion and gun assembly programmes, nuclear physics research, chemistry and metallurgy, explosives, uranium and plutonium development, confirmation of spontaneous fission in pile-produced plutonium, the thermonuclear bomb, critical assemblies, the Trinity test, and delivery of the combat weapons. Readers interested in history of science will find this volume a crucial resource for understanding the underpinnings of contemporary science and technology. It is the third book in a trilogy consisting of The Birth of Particle Physics (1986) and Pions to Quarks (1989).

Industry Reviews

'Critical Assembly ... is a true historical record of an epic technical venture. I strongly recommend it.' Hans A. Bethe, Physics World

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Non-Fiction Science Science in General History of Science Engineering & Technology Technology in General History of Engineering & Technology Other Technologies & Applied Sciences Military Engineering Ordnance Warfare & Defence Weapons & Equipment

Nuclear Weapons

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Hardcover

Published: 11th October 1993

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Introduction
Early research on fission, and overview: 1933û1943
The early materials program: 1933û1943
Setting up project Y: June 1942 to March 1943
Research in the first months of project Y: April to September 1943
Creating a wartime community: September 1943 to August 1944
The gun weapon: September 1943 to August 1944
The implosion program accelerates: September 1943 to July 1944
New hopes for the implosion weapon: September 1943 to July 1944
The nuclear properties of a fission weapon: September 1943 to July 1944
Uranium and plutonium: early 1943 to August 1944
The discovery of spontaneous fission in plutonium and the reorganisation of Los Alamos
Building the uranium bomb: August 1944 to July 1945
Exploring the plutonium implosion weapon: August 1944 to February 1945
Finding the implosion design: August 1944 to February 1945
Building the implosion gadget: March 1945 to July 1945
Critical assemblies and nuclear physics: August 1944 to July 1945
The test at Trinity: January 1944 to July 1945
Delivery: June 1943 to August 1945
The legacy of Los Alamos
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Critical Assembly

A Technical History of Los Alamos During the Oppenheimer Years, 1943 1945

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

Other Editions and Formats

Hardcover

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