Plutonium Paradox: The Nuclear Core That Killed Its Makers - And Was Never Meant To Exist

Last Updated:June 04, 2025, 13:26 IST

The dangerous 'Demon Core' was never used. In 1946, it was melted and repurposed for nuclear research, but its deadly incidents left a chilling legacy

The ‘Demon Core’ became a symbol of the thin line between scientific advancement and catastrophic risk. (AI Generated/News18 Hindi)

In a gripping chapter of World War II history, a scientific discovery known as the ‘Demon Core’ proved to be as dangerous as it was powerful. This small plutonium sphere, weighing approximately 6.2 kg, had the potential to obliterate an entire city in moments.

In the final days of World War II, after the US had dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a third bomb using this deadly plutonium core was prepared. However, Japan’s surrender made its deployment unnecessary. The core was returned to the laboratory—marking the beginning of its terrifying journey.

How Was The ‘Demon Core’ Made?

The plutonium core was kept at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where scientists conducted experiments to study its neutron emissions and how it could be controlled. However, two separate accidents occurred within a year during these tests, resulting in the deaths of two scientists.

First Accident On August 21, 1945

In the first incident, scientist Harry Daghlian was conducting an experiment to determine how quickly the core could reach a ‘supercritical’ state. By mistake, he dropped a tungsten brick onto the core, causing a sudden spike in neutron activity. Within seconds, the core became highly radioactive. Daghlian suffered severe radiation exposure and died 25 days later.

Second Accident On May 21, 1946

The second incident involved scientist Louis Slotin. During an experiment, he was manually assembling two hemispheres around the core, using a screwdriver to maintain a small gap. Suddenly, the screwdriver slipped, and the hemispheres closed completely—causing the core to go supercritical. Within seconds, everyone in the room was exposed to radiation, but Slotin was critically affected and died nine days later. After these two fatal accidents, the plutonium core came to be known as the ‘Demon Core’.

What Happened Next?

The dangerous core was never used again. In 1946, it was melted down and repurposed for other nuclear research. However, the incidents associated with it left a chilling legacy. The ‘Demon Core’ became a symbol of the thin line between scientific advancement and catastrophic risk. Its history serves as a stark reminder that nuclear power is not just a demonstration of capability—but a profound responsibility.

Location :

United States of America (USA)

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