The neutron source can be understood as a catalyst for fission. With the additional neutrons it provides, even uranium-235 below the critical mass can be split efficiently. .
In theory, both polonium and radium separated from uranium ore can form a neutron source with beryllium. There is no technical problem in this. It is purely by using the characteristic that beryllium releases a large number of neutrons when bombarded by a particles. It only works if you put them together. All three are naturally occurring substances, and their feasibility is undoubtedly much higher than those of man-made elements that are extremely difficult to serve or require complex processes to produce.
As for Roland's choice of polonium instead of radium, it was purely for safety reasons. Although the half-life of polonium 210 is short, it is basically a decay, and the yield of gamma photons is extremely low. That said, it's almost as safe as uranium, as long as you don't eat it. But radium is different. Whether it is the radon gas that decays later, or the gamma photons emitted by itself, they are all security risks that cannot be ignored. In order to avoid accidents during the experiment, the polonium-beryllium neutron source has become the most suitable choice.
In addition, beryllium also has the property of reflecting neutrons. If it is used as a shell, the utilization efficiency of neutrons can be further increased. If you use both at the same time, plus a sufficient amount of uranium 235, then even the most simple and reliable gun-type structure can achieve good results.
Beryllium is widely present in emeralds, and such a distinctive mineral saves the effort of Akima to find it, as long as the news is released through merchant channels, and it is widely purchased in the four kingdoms.
Roland is very clear about the technical level of Neverwinter. The principle of bright radiation is simple, but every 10% increase in the utilization rate is a threshold. From 1% to more than 90%, there is no need for massive theoretical calculations and experimental corrections. , if the high-efficiency release energy is not achieved, it is impossible to miniaturize the weapon, and the weapon-grade uranium that has been accumulated with great difficulty will be wasted. Without Lucia, the loss of refining alone would be an insurmountable peak.
But in the same way, hand-rubbing a nuclear bomb is not just a joke when it can be worn, or not at all. The technical thresholds vary widely, but the principle remains the same. Thanks to the inherent advantages of mass-energy conversion over chemical gunpowder, even if only 1% of uranium participates in fission, its power is enough to turn the tide of the war.
In the face of this life-and-death battle that will determine the fate of the race, he will do everything in his power.
What's more, isn't it a romance in itself to steal divine fire in such a wild age and bring humans closer to the sun
As long as there is a chance, he is willing to try.
"Very good, let's keep it like this," Roland patted Lucia's head. "When all the lead cabinets are full, the formal experiment can begin."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Lucia said energetically.
*****************
At the same time, Neverwinter City, Aerial Knight Academy.
This is a quiet area located in the west of the new institute, which also occupies a huge area. Today is the day of the students' vacation. Most people left the campus early to enjoy the time with their families, but Goode is an exception.
"Wind, push the lever!"
"Crosswind, roll!"
Sitting on the simulated bridge, he set the wind direction for himself while responding according to the regulations in the "Flight Manual". The wooden pole made a creaking sound, like an old and disrepaired water tank. car. The temperature in the training room was quite sultry. After a long practice, his back was soaked with sweat, and sweat dripped from his chin from time to time, which was scattered on the simple "dashboard".
It wasn't until the handle slipped that Goode stopped, leaning back on the chair and letting out a breath.
After nearly half a year of study, he is no longer the ignorant layman at the beginning. The "Flight Manual" written by Her Royal Highness Princess is recited by heart, and the basic operations can be said to be all printed in his mind. From the very beginning, when I got on the helm, I was in a hurry, and now I can operate according to the password with my eyes closed. If I give myself an order, I don’t even need to say it. As long as I have a thought, my body will respond immediately.
But does this make you fly
No matter how he imagined it, he couldn't picture the scene of going upwind in his mind. Capturing the direction and size of the wind, feeling the posture and tremor of the body, and then applying the operating force in harmony with it are the original words in the manual, but he has no idea what it feels like. Whether it was gently pulled halfway or pulled all the way, the driver's seat would not give him any feedback. As for the "dashboard" drawn with ink lines, it was more like laughing at his efforts.
The more skilled the movement, the more frustrated Goode became.
Just when he was a little upset, the door of the training room was suddenly pushed open with a creak.
"You really are here"
"Well, I guessed it right?"
Goode turned his head and looked at the two people who walked into the room with a little surprise. They were Finkin and Heinz from the same team, "How do you..."
"Don't use the vacation to have fun?" Finkin whistled, "Because the fun is in the academy."
"It's you, you don't have any family, don't you have a lovely sister?" Heinz stepped forward and hooked him by the neck, "She asked me to tell you not to be tired, tsk tsk... Really OK."
Goode's expression suddenly tightened, "Wait, you two went to where I live?"
"Nonsense, otherwise where are we going to find you?" Finkin raised an eyebrow at him, "Her name is Rachel, isn't she, how about introducing us?"
"Don't even think about it," Goode glared back at the other party.
"Do you think our conditions are not enough," Finkin said in disbelief, "At least I still have a formal residence in Chishuihe Community!"
Good was silent for a moment, and finally shook his head helplessly and said, "It has nothing to do with you, but my sister... Rachel's own problem. You don't want to be with her."
"Why? I think she's pretty good," Hinds said in confusion.
"Tell me?" Finkin was also curious.
"Don't ask this," Good said angrily, "Let's talk about something else. What did you mean by having fun before?"
Finkin didn't bother, he lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "Would you like to try a real plane?"
Goode couldn't help stunned, "What did you say?"
"I saw it when I climbed the fence a few days ago," Finkin said with a slightly smug smile. "Several new planes have been brought into the airfield warehouse. Although they are covered with cloth, they are all the same size as the princess. The Unicorn that His Royal Highness flew is similar. That is to say, it was the plane prepared for us!"
"A few days ago? Why didn't you say it then?"
"I'm not afraid that you were too excited and leaked the news." He shrugged, "And today is a holiday, there are only a few people in the academy, this is the opportunity to sneak in and see its true face!"
"You're crazy!" Goode dared not believe, "We can't enter the airfield at will without permission!"
"Those soldiers won't let you in, okay?" Finkin rolled his eyes at him, "Of course it's the other way, and it doesn't go through the airfield."
"But… "
"Let's just take a look," Heinz also helped. "You should feel it. Her Royal Highness Tilly has been smiling a lot less recently, and her training has been stricter. If it goes on like this, maybe you have to wait. It takes a month or two to really touch it. Compared to this simple wooden platform, don't you want to see what the plane we're going to fly looks like in advance?"
"If you don't want to go, we'll go first." Finkin frowned.
Good hesitant for a long time, the dull and dull squeak of the wooden pole when fiddling reverberated in his mind, and the dazed feeling that no matter how much he practiced, he couldn't feel any progress. Finally, he bit his lip and nodded, "I'll go, lead the way. Bar."