The neutron source could be understood as a fission catalyst. With the extra neutrons provided by the neutron source, even uranium 235, which was below the critical mass, could be efficiently split.
In theory, polonium and radium separated from uranium ore could be combined with beryllium to form a neutron source. There were no technical difficulties involved. Beryllium could release a large number of neutrons when it was bombarded by alpha particles. As long as they were put together, the neutron source would work. All three were naturally occurring substances. Compared with man-made elements that were extremely difficult to process or required complex production processes, the neutron source was undoubtedly more feasible.
Roland chose beryllium over radium purely for safety reasons. Although the half-life of polonium 210 was short, it mostly decayed by alpha photons and produced very little gamma photons. In other words, as long as it was not eaten, it was almost as safe as uranium. However, radium was different. Whether it produced radon gas after it decayed or gamma photons emitted by itself, it was a safety hazard that could not be ignored. In order to avoid accidents during the experiment, beryllium neutron source was the most suitable choice.
In addition, beryllium also reflected neutrons. If it was used as a shell, it could further increase the efficiency of neutron utilization. If both beryllium and beryllium were used at the same time, together with enough uranium 235, even the simplest and most reliable gun structure could achieve a good result.
Beryllium was widely found in emeralds. Such a distinctive mineral saved Azima the trouble of traveling far and wide to find it. All she needed to do was to spread the news through merchants and widely purchase it in the Four Kingdoms.
Roland was very clear about the level of technology in Neverwinter. The principle of Resplendent Radiation was simple, but every 10% increase in efficiency was a threshold. From 1% to 90%, it required a large number of theoretical calculations and experimental corrections. If the energy release efficiency could not be reached, it would be impossible to miniaturize the weapon, and the weapon-grade uranium that they had painstakingly accumulated would be wasted. Without Lucia, the cost of refining would be an insurmountable peak.
But at the same time, if you could afford it or didn't care about the losses, rubbing a nuclear bomb in your hands was no joke. The technical thresholds varied greatly, but the principle was the same. Thanks to the natural advantage of mass-energy conversion over chemical gunpowder, even if only 1% of uranium was involved in the fission, it would be powerful enough to reverse the situation.
In this battle of life and death that would determine the fate of the race, he would do his best.
Moreover, stealing the Divine Fire in such a barbaric era and shortening the distance between humans and the sun itself was a kind of romance, wasn't it?
As long as there was a chance, he was willing to give it a try.
"Good, keep it like this," Roland patted Lucia's head and said, "When all the lead cabinets are filled, we can start the official experiment."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Lucia said energetically.
*****
At the same time, in the Air Knight Academy in Neverwinter.
This area, which was located to the west of the new research institute, was quiet. Today was a day off for the students. Most of them had left early to enjoy the time with their families. Good was an exception.
"Take the upper hand, press the pole!"
"Crosswind, roll!"
He sat on the simulated cockpit and set the wind direction for himself while responding according to the rules in the 'Flight Manual'. The wooden rod squeaked like an old waterwheel that was in disrepair. The temperature in the training room was quite stuffy. After practicing for a long time, his back was soaked with sweat. Beads of sweat dripped from his chin from time to time and scattered on the simple "instrument panel".
Good did not stop until the handle slipped. He leaned against the chair and heaved a sigh of relief.
After nearly half a year of learning, he was no longer the ignorant layman. Although he could not say that he could recite the Flight Manual written by Her Highness fluently, he could say that all the basic operations were imprinted in his mind. In the beginning, he was in a flurry when he boarded the cockpit. Now, he could operate according to the password even with his eyes closed. If he gave the command to himself, he would not even need to say it out loud. As long as he thought of the command, his body would respond immediately.
But could this really make him fly?
No matter how hard he tried, he could not picture the scene of flying against the wind in his mind. "Capture the direction and strength of the wind, feel the posture and vibration of the body, and then exert the corresponding operating force" — these were the original words in the manual, but he did not know what kind of feeling it was. Whether he gently pulled the handle halfway or completely, the cockpit would not give him any feedback. As for the "instrument panel" drawn with ink lines, it was more like a mockery of his efforts.
The more proficient he became, the more frustrated Good felt.
Just when he was a little upset, the door of the training room was suddenly pushed open with a squeak.
"You're really here —"
"What do you think? Am I right?"
Good turned around and looked at the two people who walked into the room in surprise. They were Finkin and Heinze, who were in the same team. "Why are you..."
"Don't you want to have fun during your vacation?" Finkin whistled. "Because the fun is in the academy."
"As for you, it's fine if you don't have a family, but don't you have a cute sister?" Heinze stepped forward and put his arm around Good's neck. "She asked me to tell you not to tire yourself out. Tsk, tsk... how nice."
Good's expression suddenly tensed up. "Wait, you two went to my place?"
"Of course. Where else could we find you?" Finkin raised his eyebrows. "Her name is Rachel, right? How about introducing her to us?"
"Don't even think about it." Good glared back at Finkin.
"Are you saying that we're not good enough?" Finkin protested. "At least I have a formal house in the Redwater River Community!"
Good was silent for a moment and finally shook his head helplessly. "It's none of your business. It's my sister's... Rachel's problem. You don't want to be with her. "
"Why? I think she's a good girl, "Heinze said confusedly.
"Tell me about it." Finkin was also curious.
"Don't ask this," Good said grumpily. "Tell me something else. What do you mean by having fun?"
Finkin did not continue the topic. He lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "Do you want to try a real plane?"
Good was stunned. "What did you say?"
"I saw it when I was climbing the wall a few days ago," Finkin said with a proud smile. "There are several new airplanes in the hangar. Although they're covered with cloth, they're similar in size to the" Unicorn "that Her Highness is piloting. In other words, those planes were prepared for us! "
"A few days ago? Why didn't you tell me then? "
"I was afraid that you'd be too excited and leak the news," Finkin said with a shrug. "Today is a holiday and there are only a few people in the academy. It's a good opportunity to sneak in and see what it looks like!"
"Are you crazy?" Good said in disbelief. "Without permission, we can't enter the airport!"
"Those soldiers won't let you in either," Finkin said as he rolled his eyes at him. "Of course we'll take another way, and we won't go through the airport."
"But..."
"We're just going to have a look," Heinze said. "You should feel it. Her Highness Tilly has been smiling less recently, and her training has become stricter. At this rate, we may have to wait for a month or two before we can 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 said with a frown.
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