Simplified Physics of the Manhattan Project

The Manhattan Project's development of nuclear weapons stands as one of the most pivotal scientific endeavors of the 20th century. In its revised and updated 4th edition, this work delves into the formidable challenges confronted by the project's scientists and engineers. It serves as a thorough introduction to fission weapons suitable for upper-year undergraduate physics students, meticulously examining nuclear reactions, energy release mechanisms, analytical and numerical models of fission processes, methods for estimating critical masses, the production of fissile materials, and the intricate complexities involved in bomb design.

This edition incorporates numerous enhancements and additions. Notable improvements encompass a more detailed analysis of the physics governing the fission barrier, sophisticated time-dependent simulations depicting nuclear weapon detonations, and expanded discussions on tamped bomb cores. Newly introduced sections expand coverage to include topics such as composite bomb cores, approximate methodologies for various calculations, and the physics underpinning polonium-beryllium "neutron initiators" crucial for bomb triggering.

The author presents an unparalleled, lucid, and comprehensive exploration of the physics pivotal to the Manhattan Project. This text is enriched with an extensive array of references and includes exercises designed for independent study.

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