Papers by Siegfried Hecker
Mrs Bulletin, Apr 1, 1995
At a time when denuclearization talks with the DPRK are stalled, the authors argue that: "alterna... more At a time when denuclearization talks with the DPRK are stalled, the authors argue that: "alternative approaches must be explored. CTR Plus offers a new approach by proposing discrete, small to medium scale localized projects-with the potential for large-scale impact-which address the DPRK's critical and urgent problems on energy insecurity, public health and the COVID-19 pandemic." Joel Petersson Ivre and Elaine Natalie are Policy Fellows and Shatabhisha Shetty is Executive Director at the APLN. This report was published by APLN here.
A short oral history of the NNSA's Stockpile Stewardship Program, produced in association wit... more A short oral history of the NNSA's Stockpile Stewardship Program, produced in association with the 20th anniversary of the program. It features Siegfried Hecker, Rose Gottemoeller, Victor Reis, Charles McMillan, Joan Rohlfing, Omar Hurricane, Roger Hagengruber, and John Taylor.
Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 1992
ABSTRACT
Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 1993
ABSTRACT
Science & Global Security, 2015
This article presents a model to estimate North Korea's uranium enrichment capacity and to identi... more This article presents a model to estimate North Korea's uranium enrichment capacity and to identify probable bottlenecks for scaling up that capacity. Expert assessment is used to identify and estimate the size of key centrifuge materials and component stockpiles. Bayesian probability networks are used to characterize uncertainties in these stockpiles and a deterministic optimization model to estimate the capacity of North Korea's uranium enrichment program given the assumed components and materials constraints. A Monte Carlo simulation model is used to propagate uncertainties through the optimization model. An illustration of this approach, based on the opinions of three experts, suggests that North Korea was likely (about 80 percent chance) to have a larger uranium enrichment capacity than what was displayed to visitors to the Yongbyon nuclear complex in 2010. The three most important bottlenecks to increases in enrichment capacity are the availability of pivot bearings, maraging steel, and high-strength aluminum. The nature of the model allows it to be easily updated as new information becomes available about centrifuge materials and component stockpiles.
The element plutonium occupies a unique place in the history of chemistry, physics, technology, a... more The element plutonium occupies a unique place in the history of chemistry, physics, technology, and international relations. After the initial discovery based on submicrogram amounts, it is now generated by transmutation of uranium in nuclear reactors on a large scale, and has been separated in ton quantities in large industrial facilities. The intense interest in plutonium resulted fromthe dual-use scenario
The Chemistry of the Actinide and Transactinide Elements, 2006
ABSTRACT The element plutonium occupies a unique place in the history of chemistry, physics, tech... more ABSTRACT The element plutonium occupies a unique place in the history of chemistry, physics, technology, and international relations. After the initial discovery based on submicrogram amounts, it is now generated by transmutation of uranium in nuclear reactors on a large scale, and has been separated in ton quantities in large industrial facilities. The intense interest in plutonium resulted from the dual-use scenario of domestic power production and nuclear weapons – drawing energy from an atomic nucleus that can produce a factor of millions in energy output relative to chemical energy sources. Indeed, within 5 years of its original synthesis, the primary use of plutonium was for the release of nuclear energy in weapons of unprecedented power, and it seemed that the new element might lead the human race to the brink of self-annihilation. Instead, it has forced the human race to govern itself without resorting to nuclear war over the past 60 years. Plutonium evokes the entire gamut of human emotions, from good to evil, from hope to despair, from the salvation of humanity to its utter destruction. There is no other element in the periodic table that has had such a profound impact on the consciousness of mankind. In 2005, approximately 2000 metric tons of plutonium exist throughout the world in the form of used nuclear fuel, nuclear weapons components, various nuclear inventories, legacy materials, and wastes (Albright and Kramer, 2004). This number grows every year by 70 to 75 metric tons through production in irradiated nuclear fuels (Albright and Kramer, 2004). It is clear that the large inventories of plutonium must be prudently managed for many centuries. A complex blend of global political, socioeconomic, and technological challenges must be dealt with to manage these inventories efficiently and safely.
Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2008
Early interest in metallic plutonium fuels for fast reactors led to much research on plutonium al... more Early interest in metallic plutonium fuels for fast reactors led to much research on plutonium alloy systems including binary solid solutions with the addition of aluminum, gallium, or zirconium and low melting eutectic alloys with iron and nickel or cobalt. There was also ...
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
As the diplomatic standoff in North Korea enters its fourth year, the crisis atmosphere on the Ko... more As the diplomatic standoff in North Korea enters its fourth year, the crisis atmosphere on the Korean peninsula sparked by Pyongyang’s military actions in 2010 has eased. Pyongyang has agreed to return to the diplomatic table, its hand strengthened by advancing its nuclear program in the interim. Washington and Seoul remain reluctant to engage, having been burned by Pyongyang’s clandestine
The Stanford Center for International Security and Cooperation engaged several Chinese nuclear or... more The Stanford Center for International Security and Cooperation engaged several Chinese nuclear organizations in cooperative research that focused on responses to radiological and nuclear terrorism. The objective was to identify joint research initiatives to reduce the global dangers of such threats and to pursue initial technical collaborations in several high priority areas. Initiatives were identified in three primary research areas: 1) detection and interdiction of smuggled nuclear materials; 2) nuclear forensics; and 3) radiological ("dirty bomb") threats and countermeasures. Initial work emphasized the application of systems and risk analysis tools, which proved effective in structuring the collaborations. The extensive engagements between national security nuclear experts in China and the U.S. during the research strengthened professional relationships between these important communities.
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 2015
AIP Conference Proceedings, 2000
Plutonium fits near the middle of the actinide series. It is of practical interest principally be... more Plutonium fits near the middle of the actinide series. It is of practical interest principally because the 239 isotope has attractive nuclear properties for energy production and nuclear explosives. Its structural properties are particularly unusual. The thermal instability of plutonium-that is, the large length (or volume) changes during heating or cooling-is the most important consequence of the unusual properties of plutonium. The huge volume changes in the solid state result primarily from structural transformations among an unprecedented six solid allotropes. In addition, plutonium's continuous radioactive decay causes self-irradiation damage that can fundamentally change its properties over time. .
Http Www Libreriasaulamedica Com, 2000
... nuclear program with Chinese officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the military, th... more ... nuclear program with Chinese officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the military, the Central Party School, the China Reform Forum, the China National Nuclear ... Nuclear weapons: We know very little about the DPRK nuclear stockpile and the nation's nuclear strategy. ...
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Papers by Siegfried Hecker