Abstract
IT has recently been shown that the number1 of neutrons liberated2 in the nuclear fission of a uranium nucleus is sufficiently high to make the realization of a self-perpetuating reaction chain seem possible. The danger that a system containing uranium in high concentration might explode, once the chain is started, is considerable. It is therefore useful to point out a mechanism which gives the possibility of controlling the development of such a chain.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
von Halban, jun., H., Joliot, F., and Kowarski, L., NATURE, 143, 470 (1939).
von Halban, jun., H., Joliot, F., and Kowarski, L., NATURE, 143, 680 (1939). Roberts, R., Meyer, R., and Wang, P., Phys. Rev., 55, 510 (1939). Haenny, C., and Rosenberg, A., C.R., 208, 898 (1939). Szilard and Zinn (private communication). Huber and Buldinger (private communication).
Perrin, F., C.R., in the Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
ADLER, F., VON HALBAN, H. Nuclear Physics: Control of the Chain Reaction involved in Fission of the Uranium Nucleus. Nature 143, 793 (1939). https://doi.org/10.1038/143793a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/143793a0
This article is cited by
-
La scissione dei nuclei pesanti
Il Nuovo Cimento (1939)
-
Kann der Energieinhalt der Atomkerne technisch nutzbar gemacht werden?
Die Naturwissenschaften (1939)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.