HackerPapers

arXiv:physics/0206076physics.hist-ph

An Early History of Heavy Water

Chris Waltham

Early discovery. Linked by one identifiable commenter. This paper is outside the main ranking; a mention is not an endorsement.

Abstract

Since 1945 Canada has had a nuclear power industry based on reactor design which uses natural uranium and heavy water. The tortuous and improbable sequence of events which led to this situation is examined.

arXiv comments
28 pages, 10 figures
Journal reference
DOI
Subjects
physics.hist-phHistory and Philosophy of Physics

On Hacker News

Linked by 1 identifiable commenter in 1 comment across 1 thread, from May 2023 to May 2023.

Comments linking this paper, per year.

Discussed in comments1 thread

  1. The Demon Core and the Strange Death of Louis Slotin (2016) 1 comment

    • Surely not that much. The LD50 of heavy water is really high at 30% of body weight[1] but it's only about $10,000 per kg. So even the most obese millionaire should be able to kill themselves this way if they really want to. That's part of why thermonuclear weapons have such a…

      SymmetryView on HNParent context

Submitted to Hacker News

Connected through shared HN threads, not inferred similarity or a recommendation.