Nuclear Testing Activities of Laboratory Divisions and Groups
1951-1971
PHYSICS
Experimental
Physics
& Weapons A Division-
Livermore
The primary work of the Experimental Physics A Division was
nuclear explosive technology which included the design of nuclear
devices, weapons for military use, nuclear assemblies for indus-
trial use
(such as excavation and energy production),
and devel-
oping sources of neutrons and isotopes for scientific experiments.
A Division physicists worked in hydrodynamics,
radiation and neutron transport, and thermonuclear reactions
under steady and transient conditions.
As part of the Plowshare Program, A Division also designed
special nuclear explosives for industrial uses and scientific
experiments, and for predicting the effects of nuclear
explosions
in excavating, rock crushing, forming caves, and storing energy.
The
Livermore Laboratory established an extensive
facility for testing and
testing
developing high explosives at Site 300.
The A Division experimental
group used the explosive
shocks
from
high-explosives and nuclear detonations to study the electronic
properties of compressed materials.
Physicists measured neutron
cross-sections, determined equations of state of materials after
detonations, and developed new tools for gathering data on the
effects of nuclear explosives.
With the end of the nuclear mora-
torium and the U.S. resumption of tests at both NTS and PPG,
Division began a six-day work week in 1962.
After a test
series at NTS or PPG,
A
physicists correlated the
diagnostic results with their calculations and correspondingly
modified and improved the technology with these results.
The
actual development of nuclear devices involved a large cross section of the Laboratory, including B Division, Chemistry, Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Theoretical and Computation Divisions,
and various
Experimental
support units.
Physics B-
Livermore
Experimental Physics B conceived, designed, and conducted the
experimental testing of special nuclear warheads and developed
nuclear devices for the peaceful use of atomic energy.
Physics B
conducted nuclear explosions at both the NTS and Eniwetok Proving
Ground to coordinate experimental and theoretical work.
By the late 1950s, B Division consisted of a number of small
teams made up of theoretical and experimental physicists who
developed particular devices.
Engineering Support was assigned
directly to the device teams.
These teams were supported by
Automatic Computing, Nuclear Diagnostics, and Chemistry, as well
as outside laboratory and construction facilities.
Theoretical