Computational physics
The Computational Physics Group deals with nuclear and nuclear weapons questions. Part of its work involves the management and in some cases the development of programmes which simulate nuclear effects and/or the spread of pollutants. For example, these include the spread of a polluted aerosol or gaseous cloud in the atmosphere, fallout calculations or the spread of an air blast in a tunnel system (see illustration below).
- The above illustration shows the internal distribution of pressure shortly after a detonation occurs at the entrance to a tunnel.
Together with the "Radioactivity" and "Nuclear Issues" Groups, we produce background information and carry out studies on the risks and dangers of handling fissile and radioactive material. Our work also covers the problem of nuclear proliferation and attempts to prevent it (non-proliferation).
Examples of background documentation which we have produced include "Nuclear testing in India and Pakistan", "Depleted Uranium", "No Future Plutonium?", and "Is Iran on the way to acquiring an atomic bomb?". In addition, there is the STOA study (PDF, 463 KB) on depleted uranium, carried out by the laboratory on behalf of the European parliament. Although signed by 178 states and ratified by 135, this convention unfortunately has still not entered into force (August 2006).
Our most recent work includes the findings of a risk analysis study "Does nuclear terrorism pose a threat for Switzerland?" and the development of scenarios for Risk Analysis Switzerland XXI (PDF, 5.4 MB).
We have recently worked with the CTBTO in Vienna on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Regrettably, this treaty has yet to enter into force, even though it has been signed by 174 states and ratified by 120 (December 2004). The CTBTO wishes to develop a global network of monitoring stations which should enable the identification of any secret nuclear tests, as well as ensure preparations for disarmament, procedures and inspectors, so that an on-site inspection can be carried out to ascertain whether the incident actually constituted a nuclear weapon test explosion. The SPIEZ LABORATORY provides input and represents the Swiss Mission to the "CTBTO Working Group B" in Vienna on the technical aspects of on-site inspections. The SPIEZ LABORATORY greatly benefits from sharing experiences with CTBTO experts and those of other participating states.
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Head: Dr. Christoph Wirz |