Nuclear Weapons Principles Public - Why Few States?

Nuclear weapons were born in 1945

From the mass energy equation E=mc² From uranium-235 to the extraction of enriched uranium.

The manufacturing principle of nuclear weapons is already an open secret.

　　

 

But in the past nearly 80 years, there have been only a few nuclear armed countries born in the world: the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, Pakistan, India, Israel, and North Korea.

Although there are contributions from the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty and the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. But can a single agreement really become a tight spell to limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons? Obviously not. So, what forces and unwritten rules are secretly restricting the birth of new nuclear armed countries?

　　

 

Although the principles of nuclear weapons are publicly available, manufacturing them is very difficult.

The earliest known nuclear weapon raw material used by humans is uranium-235, which exists in small amounts in natural uranium mines. To obtain a sufficient amount of uranium-235 element, it is necessary to purify a large amount of uranium ore.

To achieve sustained chain reactions (i.e. nuclear fission) of uranium-235, its abundance (unit concentration) needs to reach at least 3%, which requires a device -; — Centrifuge.

Centrifuges are not as advanced equipment as lithography machines. The difficulty of using a centrifuge to purify radioactive elements lies in; — The workload is enormous.

　　

 

In theory, to purify the uranium-235 needed to manufacture an atomic bomb, it would require tens of thousands of centrifuges to operate continuously for one year. Its electricity consumption will reach an exceptionally astonishing number.

According to statistics, during the Cold War nuclear race, 17% of the electricity generated in the United States was used for nuclear research and development activities.

For example, Iran has built a total of 20000 centrifuges to support uranium enrichment activities. But until today, the highest enriched uranium that Iran can separate is only a single digit percentage, far from 90% of weapon grade uranium. Obviously, for Iran, whose industrial level is not yet developed, energy consumption is the most critical factor restricting nuclear activities.

　　

 

2. Nuclear weapon manufacturing is a comprehensive discipline.

“ To do a good job, one must first sharpen their tools; A nuclear bomb is not a cannon, it is a high-precision weapon. To manufacture a safe, efficient, and practical nuclear warhead, high-purity uranium is only the material foundation.

To complete the chain reaction of these uranium elements as planned within a predetermined time, high-energy explosives are needed; Lead” Ignite with an electrical signal. During this period, it will also involve specialized disciplines such as advanced chemistry, optics, acoustics, thermodynamics, electricity, and computer microelectronics, all of which are indispensable. The manpower, material resources, financial resources, and time costs involved during this period are generally beyond the capacity of a small country with the entire nation.

So, the key threshold for manufacturing nuclear weapons lies in technology and the accumulation of high-end talents, which cannot be bought with money.

　　

 

3. Nuclear activities are highly sensitive, making it difficult for small countries; Take advantage of loopholes;.

Nuclear weapons are small countries; Reverse attack; The shortcut is the ultimate answer to asymmetric warfare. Under the current balance of power system established by nuclear forces, nuclear armed countries are highly sensitive to the emergence of new nuclear powers, such as the United States.

The United States has the most extensive and dense intelligence system in the world. Through GPS satellites CIA， We are closely monitoring the circulation of nuclear materials and the construction of surface nuclear facilities. Iran has the deepest feeling about this.

For decades engaged in nuclear research and development activities, Iran has been subjected to economic sanctions, arms embargo, and public opinion pressure from the United States. Its nuclear facilities have even been jointly attacked by the United States and Israel; — In 2010; Zhenwang” Virus event.

So, in today's international situation, engaging in nuclear activities under the nose of major powers carries high risks, low returns, and is more likely to lead to catastrophic consequences.

Of course, preventing nuclear proliferation should also become a universal consensus in human society.