Building a Nuclear Bomb Detonator Switch
18During the Manhattan Project, a completely new type of switch was invented to accommodate the extreme requirements of nuclear weaponry. Using the original patent by Donald F. Hornig, we are going to build the detonator switch used in Fat Man; the most powerful bomb ever detonated in warfare.
Information Sources:
https://www.atomicheritage.org/article/william-f-lightfoot-and-%E2%80%9Cfat-man%E2%80%9D-fireset
http://edgerton-digital-collections.org/techniques/nighttime-photography
https://www.atomicheritage.org/history/electronics-and-detonators
Pictures:
Title: Atomic Cloud Rises Over Nagasaki, Japan
Description: Mushroom cloud above Nagasaki after atomic bombing on August 9, 1945. Taken from the north west.
Date: 9 August 1945
Source: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
License: CC0 (Public Domain)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nagasakibomb.jpg
Patents:
Title: US3956658A
Description: Low impedance switch
Date: May 11,1976
Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US3956658A/en
00:00 Introduction
00:22 How Fat Man Works (Implosion Type Nuclear Bomb)
01:36 The Problem with Mechanical Switches
03:40 How the Triggered Spark Gap Switch Works
06:40 Building the Switch
14:16 First Test
14:48 Making High Voltage Resistors
16:35 Second Test
18:58 Conclusion
19:33 Postface
Safety Warning:
This video contains experiments with high voltage. Incorrect handling of high voltage may result in severe injury or death. Do not attempt to recreate any of the experiments shown.