Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Are Fears About Iran's Nuclear Program Justified?

Discovery Of UD3 Raises Fears Over Iran’s Nuclear Intentions -- Times Online

One formula stands out in the documents obtained by The Times: UD3, or uranium deuteride. Independent experts have confirmed that the only possible use for UD3 is as a neutron source, the trigger to the chain reaction for a nuclear explosion.

Critically, while other neutron sources have possible civilian uses, UD3 has only one application — to be the metaphorical match that lights a nuclear bomb.

UD3, when used in a neutron initiator, emits a stream of neutrons that ignite the core of a bomb, either weapons-grade uranium or plutonium. The stream of neutrons is released using high explosives to compress a core of solid UD3, creating fusion.

Read more ....

More News On Iran's Nuclear Weapons Program

Uranium Deuteride Initiators -- Arms Control Wonk
Evidence of Iran's nuclear arms expertise mounts -- Washington Post
Israel: Iran nearing atomic bomb capability -- AP
Iran says report it is working on nuclear trigger is Western invention -- Sydney Morning Herald
Iran denies working on nuclear bomb component -- AFP
U.S. nears sanctions for Iranian nukes -- Washington Times
UN challenges Iran on nuclear triggers -- The Age
Race against time for UN to prevent Iran’s nuclear ambitions -- Times Online
Big powers scrap meeting on Iran nuclear program -- Reuters
Meeting on Iran's nuclear programme cancelled -- BBC

No comments: