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α-ParticIes as Detonators

Abstract

WHEN an α-particle passes through matter it may be considered that the matter in the proximity of the path of the swiftly moving particle is momentarily raised to a high temperature. Looked at in this light the action of an α-particle may be likened to that of a detonator and it may be possible to detonate a sufficiently unstable substance by the action of these particles. This has been found to be the case with the familiar explosive compound, nitrogen iodide.

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HENDERSON, G. α-ParticIes as Detonators. Nature 109, 749 (1922). https://doi.org/10.1038/109749a0

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