Mark Cook and I had been talking about how certain items work (similar to the
recent Black Globe discussion). Mark sent me this info off GEnie:
> TOPIC: NUCLEAR DAMPERS
>
> Going way to back to Mercenary [p. 42]:
>
> 'A common term, dampers units actually may be used to increase or
>decrease the stability of atomic nuclei. Projecting from two seperate
>stations, the intersection of the two transmitted broadcasts produces a
>series of nodes and anti-nodes. In the area of the nodes, the strong nuclear
>force is enhanced, making the nucleus more stable. In the area of the
>anti-nodes, the strong nuclear force is depressed, making the nucleus much
>less stable. Anti-nodes are focused on incoming nuclear warheads, causing
>them to shed neutrons at low energy levels, rendering the warheads
>inoperable.... This damper is later developed into a disintegrator weapon,
>beginning at tech level 16.'
My reply:
This is a little weak in the "explanation" area. It requires "two transmitted
broadcasts" but of what? Also, the logic of "shedding neutrons" is faulted
from the standpoint that neutrons is what is _required_ to initiate a fission
reaction. If the anti-node is strong enough to shed lots of neutrons faster
than it takes the fission reaction to occer, then I say you already have your
disintegrator weapon.
If the nodes were focused on the weapon, then any neutron emitted to try and
generate the fission reaction would more likely be absorbed (creating U-236
with a 2.3E7 year half-life (long)) or bounce off (billiard ball
interaction...or rather ping pong ball/bowling ball interaction). The
increase in the nuclear force would tend to make fission less likely. This
may be similar technology to what is used to make bonded-superdense material.
Also, if you had to aim the nodes (as it seems), wouldn't it be easier to have
a laser point defense system???
With all my nuclear damper bashing, I suppose I should come up with a
"reasonable" explanation for it...
- - -------------
So I thought I'd throw this into the TML for any other input...
*-=Carl=-*
[email removed]