Article ID: CBB480792260

Enrico Fermi’s Discovery of Neutron-Induced Artificial Radioactivity: A Case of “Emanation” from “Divine Providence” (2020)

unapi

We reconstruct Enrico Fermi’s remarkable discovery of neutron-induced radioactivity in March 1934 with a focus on the experimental apparatus he used, such as the original neutron sources preserved in Italy and abroad. Special attention is paid to the role of the Radium Office of the Institute of Public Health in Rome in providing to Fermi the “radium emanation” (Radon-222) used to make his radon-beryllium neutron sources. This particular angle of investigation allows us to make a full reconstruction of what Fermi actually realized in his laboratory, to gain a better insight into his methodological choices, and, ultimately, to understand how special circumstances conspired to make the discovery of neutron-induced radioactivity possible.

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Authors & Contributors
Robotti, Nadia
Guerra, Francisco
Turchetti, Simone
Sebastiani, Fabio
De Gregorio, Alberto
Bucurescu, Dorel
Concepts
Physics
Radioactivity
Atomic, nuclear, and particle physics
Discovery in science
Atomic bomb
Nuclear fission
Time Periods
20th century, early
19th century
20th century
Places
Italy
Rome (Italy)
United States
Paris (France)
Pisa (Italy)
Spain
Institutions
Hanford Nuclear Site (Washington)
Università di Roma
Jesuits (Society of Jesus)
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