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cover of episode What Happens Inside A Top-Secret U.S. Nuclear Facility?

What Happens Inside A Top-Secret U.S. Nuclear Facility?

2025/2/11
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Short Wave
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D
David Funk
G
Geoff Brumfiel
H
Hans Christensen
J
Jamie Kwong
R
Regina Barber
T
Terry Quinn
T
Tim Beller
Topics
Geoff Brumfiel: 我认为美国在1992年停止了核试验,转而依赖科学模拟来验证核武器的有效性。尽管官方否认,但美国或他国重启核试验的担忧日益增加。目前,地面核试验已停止,转为地下试验,以减少放射性尘埃的影响。现在我参观了劳伦斯利弗莫尔国家实验室,看到了他们使用超级计算机进行核试验模拟,并亲身探访了内华达州的地下试验场,那里正在进行亚临界实验。虽然目前没有技术上的需求进行核试验,但政治因素可能导致美国再次进行核试验,这将可能引发新一轮的核军备竞赛。 Regina Barber: 我对美国上次进行核武器试验的时间感到好奇,并想了解目前核试验的替代方案。 Hans Christensen: 我认为停止核试验的主要原因是政治意愿和超级计算机的技术进步,超级计算机能够模拟核试验,确保现有核武器的有效性。 Terry Quinn: 我介绍了El Capitan超级计算机,它使用先进的处理器,能够快速进行核武器爆炸的模拟计算。 David Funk: 我介绍了内华达地下试验场的亚临界实验,这些实验旨在模拟核武器内部条件,同时确保环境安全。 Tim Beller: 我负责的Knob Hill实验旨在模拟核爆炸,但会严格控制在亚临界状态下,确保不发生失控的核链式反应。 Jamie Kwong: 我认为地下核试验可能对环境和人道主义产生影响,尤其是在边缘化社区进行试验时。美国在暂停核试验方面具有技术优势,但如果全球试验恢复,其他国家可能会更快地从中获益。

Deep Dive

Chapters
This section explores the history of nuclear testing, explaining the shift from above-ground tests to underground tests due to radioactive fallout and the 1963 treaty signed by the world's nuclear powers.
  • Above-ground nuclear tests were primarily conducted in the 1950s.
  • Radioactive fallout led to the 1963 treaty, prompting a shift to underground testing.
  • The end of the Cold War in the late 1980s and early 1990s also played a role in the cessation of nuclear testing.

Shownotes Transcript

The U.S. tested nuclear weapons until the early 1990s. Since then, scientists have been using supercomputers and experiments to simulate nuclear test detonations, without detonating any nukes. But there are signs the world's nuclear powers may be readying to test again: Russia, China and the U.S. are all upgrading their nuclear test sites.NPR science correspondent Geoff Brumfiel) was among a small group of journalists allowed to tour an underground laboratory where this research happens. **Read more of science correspondent Geoff Brumfiel's reporting here). **Help shape the future of Short Wave by taking our survey: npr.org/shortwavesurvey)*Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave).*Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)