Gjornâl Furlan des SiencisFriulian Journal of Science

No. 12 (2009): GFS
RICERCJIS

Scientific and technological challenges posed by the perspective of a world free of nuclear weapons

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  • ALESSANDRO PASCOLINI
ALESSANDRO PASCOLINI
Physics Department, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.

Peraulis clâf

  • Nuclear weapons,
  • disarmament,
  • military research,
  • international relations

Cemût citâ

[1]
PASCOLINI, A. 2009. Scientific and technological challenges posed by the perspective of a world free of nuclear weapons. Gjornâl Furlan des Siencis - Friulian Journal of Science. 12, 12 (Jan. 2009), 67–92.

Ristret

After many decades, nuclear disarmament has now finally moved into the mainstream of international politics. Endorsed by prominent political figures, it has become the focus of intense debate and discussion, with several institutions seriously studying approaches and possible concrete initiatives. In its initial part, the paper recalls the most important historical steps in this direction: the 1945-6 initiatives towards international control, the Reykjavik Meeting and the recent Hoover Initiative. The military confrontation during the cold war resulted in the creation, in several countries, of huge arsenals of nuclear weapons of different kind. In addition, exorbitant quantities of fissile materials have been produced: mostly plutonium and highly-enriched uranium (HEU), they are the essential ingredients of all nuclear weapons, their production methods posing the greatest technical challenge to nuclear specialists. The paper provides readers with an introduction to nuclear weapons, fissile materials, their production and their use in nuclear weapons and an overview of the current levels of fissile-material stocks worldwide. The many scientific and technical challenges facing the transition to a secure and stable nuclear-free world are then considered. These include the mechanism shaping the disarmament progress, the issue of reversibility, the management and elimination of fissile material stocks, the risks of nuclear weapon reconstitution or proliferation using materials and expertise employed in civilian nuclear energy programmes, and the definition of proper safeguards. Specific attention is paid to the disposal of HEU, including that used for non-weapon production, in particular for naval propulsion, research reactors and medical isotope production. The problems of separated plutonium and of its increasing stocks from civilian power reactors are underlined, together with the issue of plutonium disposal, which leave a lot of space for further research.

The scientific community has produced numerous studies focussing on the technical aspects of nuclear disarmament, suggesting solutions and workable approaches. Yet more research and thought is needed to support a realistic approach to a world free from nuclear weapons.

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