Is it possible to create a quantum bomb?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the feasibility of creating a quantum bomb utilizing Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC) and other theoretical concepts related to advanced weaponry. Participants explore various ideas, including the potential for high-yield explosions and the use of antimatter, while also referencing historical projects and speculative fiction.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the possibility of using Bose-Einstein condensates to create a warhead with greater yield than existing bombs, suggesting that rapid heating of BEC could lead to a massive explosion.
  • Multiple participants assert that it is not possible to create such a bomb, expressing confusion over the initial proposition.
  • Another participant mentions a simulation where scientists created a bomb capable of destroying a planet, prompting requests for sources to verify this claim.
  • References are made to the "Apophis" project, which was considered as a means to protect Earth from asteroids, with participants asking for peer-reviewed articles to substantiate claims about it.
  • One participant highlights the need for credible sources, criticizing the lack of references provided by others in the discussion.
  • There is a mention of a hypothetical weapon using anti-hydrogen stored as a BEC, with a link to an article that discusses antimatter bombs.
  • A speculative idea is introduced regarding the use of neutron traps to create a chain reaction with subcritical amounts of radioactive isotopes, referencing a concept from science fiction.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the feasibility of creating a quantum bomb using BEC, with some asserting it is impossible while others explore theoretical possibilities. The discussion remains unresolved with competing views on the validity of the claims made.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include a lack of specific references to peer-reviewed articles, dependence on speculative ideas, and unresolved questions regarding the practicality of the concepts discussed.

Jaakub
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I was wondering if it is possible to use bose-einstein condensate to create a warhead with more yield then any other bomb? If so please let me know I can't find anything about it online.
 
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No, it is not. I can't imagine why you think it might be so.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
No, it is not. I can't imagine why you think it might be so.
Scientists had, in simulation, created a bomb strong enough to destroy a planet.

Ans to answer your question, I thought that with bose-einstein condensate being at such a low temperature (177 nanokelvin) if it were to get rapidly heated it could cause a massive explosion.
 
Jaakub said:
Scientists had, in simulation, created a bomb strong enough to destroy a planet.
Please post a link to the journal article where this was reported...
 
berkeman said:
Please post a link to the journal article where this was reported...
Look up apophis. That is the name of the bomb project. It was looked into as a way to protect us from a massive asteroid.
 
Jaakub said:
Look up apophis. That is the name of the bomb project. It was looked into as a way to protect us from a massive asteroid.
I don't want to look it up. Please post a link to a peer-reviewed journal article about it (not a pop-sci article). Thank you.
 
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berkeman said:
I don't want to look it up. Please post a link to a peer-reviewed journal article about it (not a pop-sci article). Thank you.
I can't remember the name of the article. Only the name of the weapon. That's why I didnt post the link
 
Jaakub said:
I can't remember the name of the article. Only the name of the weapon. That's why I didnt post the link
Apophis is an asteroid, and all I can find with a quick Google search are pop-sci articles speculating how to destroy it if it is on a collision course with Earth...
 
How does this fit in with the story you are writing? Looks like your thread was moved from "Science Fiction and Fantasy". In that case per our guidelines your question must be in reference to a specific work of science fiction or fantasy, not your own speculation. Does your question come from a specific work?
 
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Jaakub said:
I can't remember the name of the article. Only the name of the weapon. That's why I didnt post the link
In the future you're going to need to do better than this. We have very high quality standards here. But since you're new and I'm really good at Google, I'd say odds are good that this is the article:
http://21sci-tech.com/Subscriptions/Fall-Winter-2012_ONLINE/TCS_F-W_2012.pdf
(bottom left, page 56)
...aaand you misread it. The hypothetical weapon would use anti-hydrogen, stored as a BEC.

And this is one reason why we require users to post sources. Clearly it is pointless for us to try to explain something that was misread in the first place!
 
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  • #11
russ_watters said:
In the future you're going to need to do better than this. We have very high quality standards here. But since you're new and I'm really good at Google, I'd say odds are good that this is the article:
http://21sci-tech.com/Subscriptions/Fall-Winter-2012_ONLINE/TCS_F-W_2012.pdf
(bottom left, page 56)
...aaand you misread it. The hypothetical weapon would use anti-hydrogen, stored as a BEC.

And this is one reason why we require users to post sources. Clearly it is pointless for us to try to explain something that was misread in the first place!

Since we now talk about anti-matter bombs, i found that.
https://www.livescience.com/61827-antimatter-van-plan.html

I wonder is it any realistic in near future, to store antimatter for long time enough to use it as fuel, or warhead?

Another similar idea, that was written by Heinlein in Starship Troopers, that with some kind of neutron trap, subcritical amount of radioactive isotopes could create a chain reaction.
 
  • #12
Jaakub, we're going to close this due to speculation. Please contact me if this is in reference to a specific sci fi work. Thanks!
 

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