What are Some Different Types of Nuclear Testing?

Nuclear test ^[1] , a nuclear explosive device or nuclear weapon explosion test conducted under predetermined conditions for military and scientific research purposes.

Nuclear test ^[1] , a nuclear explosive device or nuclear weapon explosion test conducted under predetermined conditions for military and scientific research purposes.

Its main purpose is to identify the power and other performance of nuclear explosive devices, verify whether the theoretical calculations and structural design are reasonable, and provide a basis for improving the design or production of nuclear weapons; study nuclear explosion phenomenology and various killing and destruction factors in the nuclear explosion environment Law of change; research on peaceful uses of nuclear explosions, etc. It is a large-scale scientific experiment that requires multi-disciplinary, multi-sector collaboration and consumes a lot of manpower and material resources. The first nuclear test for humans was in Los Alamos, Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico, USA Finished.

Chinese name

Nuclear test

Foreign name

nuclear test

Times

2060

Nature

Physics experiment, weapon test

Nuclear test procedure

Nuclear tests can generally be divided into three stages:

Nuclear test preparation stage

Prepare nuclear test devices and sites, arrange control equipment, place recording instruments and effectors, and formulate safety safeguards and emergency measures for accidents. When conducting atmospheric tests, great care should be taken to select meteorological conditions to minimize the danger of radioactive sedimentation.

Nuclear test implementation phase

Detonate nuclear devices, measure and record various signals of nuclear explosions, preliminary results of quick test, collect samples of explosive products, recover test results, detect radioactive dose distribution, etc.

Nuclear test analysis and summary stage

Interpret, process and analyze test data and make test summary.

Nuclear test method

According to different environmental conditions during the test, the nuclear test methods include: atmospheric nuclear tests, high-altitude nuclear tests, underground nuclear tests, and underwater nuclear tests. The choice of nuclear test method is related to the purpose of the test.

Nuclear test

Bikini beach nuclear test

Refers to aerial nuclear tests and ground (water) surface nuclear tests with an explosion height below 30 kilometers. The nuclear device can be delivered to a predetermined height by means of aircraft or rocket launch, balloon lift, etc., or it can be placed on an iron tower or on the ground (water) to explode. Atmospheric nuclear tests are convenient for the measurement of the mechanics, optics, nuclear radiation and electromagnetic waves in the atmosphere, as well as the study of the law of radioactive sedimentation, timely recovery of nuclear reaction products, and observation and research of the effects of nuclear explosions; however, atmospheric nuclear tests will cause a certain degree of radioactive pollution , And not conducive to confidentiality. When the explosion height is greater than a certain value, the ground (water) surface dust (water) column caused by the explosion gas wave can be prevented from being connected with the smoke cloud, which greatly reduces the local radioactive settlement. The nuclear test is performed directly on the ground (water) surface or iron tower. The nuclear device is fixed for easy testing, but because the smoke cloud and the ground (water) surface dust (water) column are mixed, it will cause more serious local environmental pollution.

Nuclear test

Nuclear tests with explosion heights greater than 30 kilometers. Among them, the explosion test above 100 kilometers is also called outer space (or cosmic space) nuclear test. The test launch vehicle sent the nuclear device to a predetermined altitude to explode. The main purpose is to study the various effects of high-altitude nuclear explosions, such as the damaging effects of nuclear radiation, electromagnetic pulses, and X-rays on missile warheads and spacecraft. Capabilities provide the basis; research on the impact of high-altitude nuclear explosions on radio communications and radar systems; research on the motion of electron currents in the geomagnetic field, and so on.

Nuclear test underground nuclear test

A nuclear test in which a nuclear device is exploded in a shaft or horizontal tunnel. The study of its explosion effect is limited to a certain extent, and the site has a large amount of engineering, especially for large-equivalent tests. However, the closed underground nuclear test has its obvious advantages: the location of the nuclear device is fixed, which is convenient for testing, and is especially beneficial for near-field physical measurements; it is less affected by meteorological conditions, is conducive to safety and confidentiality, and can reduce radioactive pollution to the environment; it is convenient to create simulated high altitude Environmental vacuum conditions, to study the effects of certain high-altitude nuclear explosions; also to study the peaceful uses of nuclear explosions, such as exploring the possibility of digging mineral deposits and preparing special materials.

Nuclear test underwater nuclear test

Use a target ship, torpedo or deep-water bomb to send a nuclear device to a nuclear test for a predetermined depth of explosion underwater. The purpose is to study the destructive effects of nuclear explosions on ships, seaports, large water conservancy facilities, etc., or to conduct anti-submarine research.

Nuclear test computer simulation nuclear test

Nuclear test method

Since the adoption of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty by the United Nations in 1996, the physical nuclear tests mentioned above have been stopped in various signatories due to the treaty constraints. Due to the development of computer technology; the use of computer technology to simulate nuclear tests is not subject to the treaty; the simulation of nuclear tests between signatories has not stopped. The research directions, methods, and problems to be solved in various countries are unknown due to confidentiality.

Purpose of nuclear test

Experimental research conducted by nuclear device explosion. Its main purpose is to identify the power and other performance of nuclear installations, verify whether the theoretical calculations and structural designs are reasonable, and provide a basis for improving the design or production of nuclear weapons; to study nuclear explosion phenomenology and various killing and destruction factors in a nuclear explosion environment Law of change, research on peaceful uses of nuclear explosions, etc. It is a large-scale, multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral

Submarine nuclear test

Synergistic and scientific experiments that consume a lot of manpower and material resources.

There are various classification methods for nuclear tests. According to the purpose of the test, it can be divided into weapon principle test, weapon improvement test, weapon type test, weapon safety test, effect research test, and nuclear test for peaceful use. But this classification is not very strict. Generally, a nuclear test can include multiple purposes.

Nuclear test test procedure

Nuclear tests can generally be divided into 4 stages: (1) the planning stage. Study and design nuclear test equipment and determine the overall test plan. (2) Preparation stage. Prepare the nuclear test site and test equipment according to the overall plan. Formulate various test plans for nuclear tests and emergency measures for safety measures and accidents. (3) Implementation stage. The nuclear test site shall be equipped with debugging control equipment, measurement and recording equipment, and the placement of effectors. After the test project is completely completed, a comprehensive preview is conducted before the test. During the test, the nuclear device is detonated, various signals for measuring and measuring the nuclear explosion are recorded, samples of the explosion products are collected, the test results are recovered, and the radiation dose distribution is detected. (4) Analysis and summary stage. Judge, process and analyze test data and make test summary.

Detection of effectors before nuclear test

Nuclear test test method

The test methods can be divided into:

(1) Atmospheric nuclear test. Including aerial nuclear tests and ground nuclear tests with an explosion altitude below 30 kilometers. Atmospheric nuclear tests are easy to implement, and are also conducive to the measurement and research of various damage effects such as mechanics, optics, nuclear radiation, nuclear electromagnetic pulses, and radioactive sedimentation. They can observe and study the scene of nuclear explosions, and promptly recover samples and measurement records of nuclear explosion products. instrument. Atmospheric nuclear tests are limited by meteorological conditions, which will cause radioactive contamination to varying degrees, and it is not conducive to keeping the secrets of nuclear weapon design.

(2) Underground nuclear test. Buried depth can be divided into pit underground nuclear tests and closed underground nuclear tests. Closed underground nuclear tests are usually used. This test method is good for physical diagnosis and convenient shielding. It can simulate some high-altitude environments to study the effects of high-altitude nuclear explosions. The radioactivity is almost completely enclosed in the ground and is less affected by meteorological conditions. Security and confidentiality in nuclear tests. At the same time, the scale of the nuclear test site is relatively small, which is convenient for organization and implementation. It can also study the peaceful use of nuclear explosions. However, this kind of nuclear test has a large amount of engineering and a long cycle, which is not convenient for the test of millions of tons of TNT equivalent power, and the damage effect test is also limited.

(3) High-altitude nuclear test. Exploding nuclear tests at posters 30 kilometers or more. The main purpose is to study the killing and destructive effects of high-altitude nuclear explosions, geophysical effects, and nuclear explosion detection technologies in outer space, and to study the possibility of using nuclear destructive effects for anti-ballistic missiles, anti-satellites, and for outer space operations.

(4) Surface (lower) nuclear test. The main purpose is to study the damaging effects of surface or underwater nuclear explosions on ships, seaports, large water conservancy facilities and buildings, and radioactive contamination. Only the United States and the Soviet Union have conducted underwater and high-altitude nuclear tests.

Nuclear test method

Nuclear test testing and control

The nuclear test test items are determined by the purpose and method of the experiment. Generally it can be divided into 3 categories: (1) physical testing; (2) radiochemical analysis; (3) effect measurement and observation. The detonation of nuclear weapons or nuclear explosive devices, the real-time operation of various test systems and power supply systems all rely on strict procedures for automatic control.

Nuclear test diagnostic methods

Measure and analyze the results of nuclear explosions, determine the explosion equivalent of nuclear devices, identify the nuclear reaction inside nuclear devices, and determine the parameters of nuclear explosion effects. The choice of diagnostic methods depends on the purpose and method of the test, and can usually be divided into two categories.

Nuclear test physical measurement and analysis

Nuclear radiation (instantaneous neutron, gamma rays) and X-ray measurements. The intensity of these rays is related to the explosion equivalent. The change of their energy distribution (energy spectrum) with time (time spectrum) and with angle (angular distribution) can reflect the physical characteristics of nuclear devices. Measuring nuclear radiation at different distances can accumulate data on the effects of radiation dose destruction and study its laws. Optical measurement. Atmospheric nuclear tests can measure the development of nuclear explosion fireballs and the changes in the intensity of light radiation (including ultraviolet, visible light and infrared) over time to estimate the equivalent and provide data on the effects of light radiation damage. Mechanical measurement. Measure the shock wave in the medium at different distances from the explosion center. It can be used to determine equivalence and provide mechanical data on the effects of damage. Electromagnetic pulse measurement. It is used to study the electromagnetic pulse effect of nuclear explosion. Under certain conditions, the type of explosion can be judged and the equivalent is roughly estimated.

Radiochemical measurement and analysis of nuclear tests

In the atmospheric nuclear test, an aircraft or a rocket with a sampler can be used to collect samples of explosive products or sediments; in underground nuclear tests, sampling methods such as drilling are used. The amount of fission products can be analyzed from the sample, and the size of the fracture equivalent can be deduced. By analyzing the changes in the content of various isotopes in the nuclear charge, data such as the fuel consumption of the nuclear charge can be obtained. Radiochemical measurement and analysis is a more reliable method for determining nuclear explosion equivalents. In addition, during nuclear tests, radioactive contamination parameters can be measured and various killing and damaging effects experiments and observations can be performed as needed.

Nuclear test nuclear test history

From the first nuclear test in the world by the United States on July 16, 1945 to the end of 1989, countries have conducted more than 1,800 nuclear tests. Among them, the United States more than 900 times, the Soviet Union more than 600 times, and France more than 180 times. The United States and the Soviet Union account for about 90% of the total number of nuclear tests. China conducted the first atomic bomb test at the Lop Nur nuclear test site in Xinjiang on October 16, 1964, and conducted the first hydrogen bomb principle test on December 28, 1966. Nuclear-weapon states generally conduct atmospheric nuclear tests first. Because it is easy to implement, it is convenient to accumulate experimental data on shock waves, light radiation, nuclear radiation, etc., to study various killing and destruction effects in the field, and to facilitate the verification of large-equivalent hydrogen bombs. After these objectives were achieved, they were gradually transferred to underground nuclear tests. After conducting a large number of atmospheric and other nuclear tests, the United States, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom signed the Treaty Prohibiting Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, Outer Space and Underwater in August 1963 (see Partial Nuclear Prohibition Test Treaty "; in July 1974, the United States and the Soviet Union signed the" Conditions on Limiting Underground Nuclear Test Equivalents ", which stipulated that from March 31, 1976, no underground nuclear tests with an explosive equivalent of more than 150,000 tons would be performed test. Since the United States and the Soviet Union have accumulated a large amount of nuclear test data, it is entirely possible to develop and improve various nuclear weapons through low-equivalent underground nuclear tests. China conducted its first atomic bomb test on October 16, 1964. A hydrogen bomb principle test was performed on December 28, 1966.

In addition to the United States, Soviet, British, French and Chinese nuclear weapons, India conducted a nuclear test in 1974. It is generally believed that countries that possess the necessary nuclear technology and have a certain industrial foundation and economic strength are also entirely likely to make atomic bombs.

China underground nuclear test hoisting device

Number of nuclear test countries

The year of the last nuclear test in brackets:

U.S. 1030 (1992)

715 times in the USSR (1990)

North Korea nuclear test

210 times in France (1996)

45 times in the UK (1991)

45 times in the People's Republic of China (1996)

6 times in India (1998)

6 times in Pakistan (1998)

North Korea 3 times (2013)

Nuclear test impact

The radioactive dust produced by nuclear tests (such as the United States and the Soviet Union) still remains in the atmosphere, and partly enters the living body through the biosphere. This has led to a new dating method-nuclear bomb dating method ^.

Nuclear Test Related Treaties

Nuclear Tests Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty is a treaty designed to promote the comprehensive prevention of the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the process of nuclear disarmament, thereby enhancing international peace and security. As early as 1954, Indian leader Jawaharlal Nehru made the first request at the United Nations General Assembly to conclude an international agreement prohibiting nuclear testing. In March 1994, the Geneva Conference on Disarmament officially launched negotiations for a comprehensive nuclear test-ban treaty. After two and a half years of hard work, the meeting drafted the text of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty on August 20, 1996, but it was not adopted due to opposition from India. Later, according to Australia's proposal, the text of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty was sent directly to the 50th Session of the United Nations General Assembly for consideration. On September 10, 1996, the UN General Assembly adopted the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty by an overwhelming majority with 158 votes in favor, 3 votes against, and 5 abstentions.

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty includes a preamble, article 17, two annexes and a protocol. The treaty states that the parties will make stepwise and gradual efforts to reduce nuclear weapons on a global scale in order to achieve the ultimate goal of nuclear disarmament and complete and complete nuclear disarmament under strict and effective international supervision. All States Parties undertake not to conduct any nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions, and undertake not to cause,

North Korea nuclear test triggers artificial earthquake in 2009

Encourage or participate in any way in any nuclear weapon test explosion.

The treaty also provides that the treaty will enter into force 180 days after the signing of ratifications by all 44 member states of the Conference on Disarmament after ratification by the signatory states in accordance with their respective constitutional procedures. Ratified the treaty. On September 24, 1996, the treaty was opened for signature by all countries. Leaders or foreign ministers of 16 countries including China signed the first batch of nuclear test ban treaties at the UN headquarters in New York. As of September 2004, the treaty has been signed by 172 countries and ratified by 116 countries.

In October 1999, the United Nations convened the first conference in Vienna to promote the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. In November 2001, the Second Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Entry into Force Conference was held in New York. In September 2003, the third conference to promote the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty was held in Vienna.

Nuclear tests , the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and additional protocols

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), also known as the "Non-Proliferation Treaty" or "Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty", was established on January 7, 1968 by the United Kingdom, the United States, the Soviet Union, and There are 11 international treaties concluded by 59 other countries in London, Washington and Moscow.

In 1959 and 1961, the United Nations General Assembly successively adopted the motions proposed by Ireland requesting nuclear-weapon states not to provide nuclear weapons to non-nuclear states and "preventing the wider spread of nuclear weapons". These two motions are the embryonic form of the non-proliferation nuclear weapons treaty.

In 1960 and 1964, France and China successively exploded nuclear devices. The United States and the Soviet Union were extremely worried that more countries would have nuclear weapons. The United States submitted a draft treaty on the prevention of the proliferation of nuclear weapons to the Disarmament Commission of the 18 States in Geneva in August 1965. In September of the same year, the Soviet Union also submitted a draft treaty to the General Assembly. In the fall of 1966, the Soviet Union and the United States began secret negotiations and on August 24, 1967 submitted a joint draft of the "Non-Proliferation Treaty" to the Disarmament Commission of the 18 countries. On March 11, 1968, the United States and the Soviet Union also proposed a joint amendment. On June 12, 1968, the General Assembly approved the draft treaty. On March 5, 1970, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons entered into force.

The purpose of the treaty is to prevent nuclear proliferation, promote nuclear disarmament and promote international cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The treaty has 11 provisions, the main content of which is: nuclear states guarantee not to transfer nuclear weapons directly or indirectly to non-nuclear states, do not assist non-nuclear states to manufacture nuclear weapons; non-nuclear states guarantee not to manufacture nuclear weapons, and do not directly or indirectly accept nuclear weapons of other countries Transfer, do not seek or accept assistance in the manufacture of nuclear weapons, or provide such assistance to other countries; stop the nuclear arms race and promote nuclear disarmament; place peaceful nuclear facilities under the international safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency and use nuclear energy peacefully Provide technical cooperation.

According to relevant regulations, the treaty is valid for 25 years, during which review meetings are held every 5 years to review the implementation of the treaty.

China decided to accede to the Convention on December 29, 1991, submitted its instrument of accession on March 9, 1992, and entered into force for China.

On January 27, 1992, France decided to sign the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. On August 3, the ratification documents for the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons were officially submitted to the three signatories of the United States, Britain and Russia.

In December 1992, the Preparatory Committee for the Review and Extension Conference of the 1995 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was established in accordance with the resolution of the 47th General Assembly. From May 1993 to January 1995, four meetings were held. The Preparatory Committee prepared a provisional agenda and draft rules of procedure for the General Assembly. According to the recommendations of the Preparatory Committee, three main committees will be established during the meeting. The first committee will focus on the implementation of the treaty's provisions on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, disarmament and international peace and security (including security guarantees); the work of the second committee It is to discuss the implementation of the provisions on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, guarantee measures and nuclear-free zones; the Third Committee will discuss the implementation of the provisions on non-discriminatory development, research, production and use of peaceful nuclear energy by treaty countries.

Due to opposition from Germany, Italy, Japan, and Sweden, when the treaty entered into force in 1970, there was only a 25-year period. Whether or not to extend the treaty after 25 years depends on the opinions of most Member States. Opposition to indefinite extension is mainly "non-aligned" countries and other non-nuclear countries, such as Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Thailand, Venezuela, and so on. These countries believe that nuclear states have not fulfilled some important provisions in the treaty, such as a complete ban on nuclear testing, a cessation of the production of fissile material capable of manufacturing nuclear weapons, a guarantee of security to non-nuclear states, and the granting of non-nuclear states access to peaceful nuclear energy technologies. These countries believe that if it is extended indefinitely, it will make nuclear states relax their nuclear disarmament efforts and make the de facto "nuclear and non-nuclear" a permanent and unchangeable and unreasonable distribution pattern. The four countries that originally opposed the permanent treaty, such as Germany, Italy, Japan, and Switzerland, have waived the development of nuclear weapons and have secured access to peaceful nuclear energy technologies.

On May 11, 1995, at the UN Review and Extension Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, 178 States parties decided by consensus to extend the treaty indefinitely. The General Assembly also adopted two resolutions: the principles and objectives of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament; and strengthening the Treaty review mechanism. The States parties also decided to hold the Review Conference five years later and three preparatory meetings in 1997, 1998 and 1999. However, representatives failed to agree on a final report on the role of the treaty over the past five years. "The meeting has no winners, no losers. The winner is the treaty itself," Jayanta Dhanapala, chairman of the meeting, said in his closing statement.

On April 7, 1997, the parties to the treaty held a 1997 preparatory meeting at United Nations Headquarters, which reviewed the progress of work in the field of nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament. Representatives of China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States issued a joint statement reaffirming their support for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the full implementation of various provisions, including disarmament. On May 15, the same year, the IAEA Board of Governors approved an additional protocol.

On May 10, 1999, the third Preparatory Committee Meeting of the 2000 Review Conference was held at the United Nations. The head of the Chinese delegation, Sha Zukang, attended the meeting and stated that the international community must work hard to establish a just and reasonable new international political and economic order, and resolutely oppose and completely abandon hegemonism and power politics. Only in this way can each country have a sense of security and ensure the success of nuclear disarmament and the prevention of the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

On April 25, 2000, the 2000 Review Conference was held in New York. The main topics of the conference are: the universality of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons; nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament; and nuclear-free zones.

China acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in March 1992, and signed an additional protocol in December 1998. As of November 2005, 106 countries have signed additional protocols.

In addition, China has joined all international non-proliferation treaties and international organizations.

US nuclear test

During the period from June 30, 1946 to August 18, 1958, US nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands were all considered atmospheric nuclear tests. These tests were fired from the most powerful "Bravo", a 15 million ton device detonated on the Bikini Atoll on March 1, 1954. This test equivalent is equivalent to 1,000 Hiroshima atomic bombs.

Although the Bravo test is well known, it should be acknowledged that other tests in the Marshall Islands on the 17th were in the million-ton range, 67 tests were 108 megatons, and more than 7,000 Hiroshima atomic bomb equivalents.

For the sake of comparison, it can be pointed out that from 45 to 88 years, the United States conducted an estimated 930 nuclear tests to carry out a combined equivalent of about 137 megatons, which were detonated in the atmosphere. In other words, the number of tests performed in the Marshall Islands is about 14% of all tests in the United States.

Nuclear test world nuclear states

At present, a total of 8 countries have successfully tested nuclear weapons, and 5 of them are regarded as "nuclear-weapon states" by the NPT. According to the order in which they obtained nuclear weapons, the five nuclear-weapon states are the United States, Russia (the former Soviet Union), the United Kingdom, France, People's Republic of China. Since the concept of the NPT, three unsigned states: India, Pakistan and North Korea have conducted nuclear tests. In addition, Israel and Japan are highly suspected of possessing nuclear weapons; Iran is also developing uranium enrichment technology.

North Korea nuclear test

On April 5, 2009, after North Korea launched the long-range rocket despite the condemnation of the international community, the United States and Japan requested the Security Council to pass a resolution condemning North Korea and strengthen economic sanctions. North Korea indignantly expelled all UN nuclear testers in North Korea and warned last month that if the Security Council does not lift sanctions on North Korea and apologize, it will conduct a second nuclear test and test-fire intercontinental ballistic missiles.

On May 25, 2009, at 8:54:44 Beijing time, North Korea conducted a nuclear test, which triggered a magnitude 4.7 earthquake. The epicenter depth measured internationally was 10 kilometers! No matter whether this place is related to North Korea s nuclear facilities, an earthquake with a depth of 10 kilometers can be judged as an artificial earthquake, which is also a proof of North Korea s successful nuclear explosion. The epicenter of the earthquake was 41.331 degrees north latitude and 129.011 degrees east longitude. It is 380 kilometers from Pyongyang, but it is very close to the border with China. It is only 64 kilometers from the border with the national border, 109 kilometers from Changbai Mountain Tianchi, and 178 from Jilin Yanbian Prefecture. Kilometers.