Demon core
Videos
The demon core was a sphere of plutonium–gallium alloy that was involved in two fatal radiation accidents when scientists tested it as a fissile core of an early atomic bomb. It was manufactured in 19
A re-creation of the experiment involved in the 1945 incident. The sphere of plutonium is surrounded by tungsten carbide blocks acting as neutron reflectors.
The two physicists Harry Daghlian (center left) and Louis Slotin (center right) during the Trinity Test. Both died following supercritical accidents involving the "demon core".
A drawing based on the above sketch
Tickling the Dragons Tail
Third Shot
Videos
The Third Shot was an American nuclear weapon intended for use against Japan in World War II, subsequent to the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was intended to be used on 19 August 1945,
Demon core
…weighed 6.2 kilograms (14 lb) and was 89 millimeters (3.5 in) in diameter. The core was prepared for shipment to the Pacific Theater as part of the third nuclear weapon intended to be dropped on Japan, but when Japan surrendered, the core was retained for testing and potential later use in the case of another conflict…
A replica of the "Fat Man" atom bomb design similar to the "Third Shot" bomb
Memorandum from Leslie Groves to George C. Marshall regarding the third bomb, with Marshall's hand-written caveat that the third bomb not be used without express presidential instruction