• Mission
  • Mission
    • Emerging Threats
    • Emerging Threats
    • View Emerging Threats
    • Energy Security
    • Energy Security
    • View Energy Security
    • Nuclear Deterrence
    • Nuclear Deterrence
    • View Nuclear Deterrence
    • Nuclear Threats
    • Nuclear Threats
    • View Nuclear Threats
    • Pit Production
    • Pit Production
    • View Pit Production
  • Science & Innovation
  • Science & Innovation
    • Capability Pillars
    • Capability Pillars
    • View Capability PillarsNuclear and Particle Futures (NPF)Science of Signatures (SoS)Weapons Systems (WS)Complex Natural & Engineered Systems (CNES)Information, Science, and TechnologyMaterials for the Future
    • Science Facilities
    • Science Facilities
    • View Science FacilitiesLANSCEDMMSCNHMFLDARHTCINT
    • Science Programs
    • Science Programs
    • View Science ProgramsApplied Energy ProgramsCivilian Nuclear ProgramsLaboratory Directed Research & DevelopmentOffice of Science
    • Science Videos
    • Science Videos
    • View Science Videos
    • User Facilities
    • User Facilities
    • View User Facilities
  • Collaboration
  • Collaboration
    • Director’s Colloquium
    • Director’s Colloquium
    • View Director’s ColloquiumColloquia ArchiveUpcoming Colloquia
    • Fellows
    • Fellows
    • View FellowsActive FellowsCharterFellows' Leadership Prize WinnersFellows' Prize NominationsFellows' Research Prize WinnersFellows' OfficersIn MemoriamRetired FellowsFellows Directory
    • Feynman Center For Innovation
    • Feynman Center For Innovation
    • View Feynman Center For InnovationExascale Computing ProjectFUTUREHydrogen HubLACED
    • Internships
    • Internships
    • View InternshipsService Academies and ROTC Research Associates (SARRA)University Partnerships
    • National Security Education Center (NSEC)
    • National Security Education Center (NSEC)
    • View National Security Education Center (NSEC)Institute for Materials ScienceCenter for Nonlinear StudiesInformation Science & Technology InstituteCenter for Space and Earth ScienceEngineering Institute
    • Nuclear Security and Safeguards Training
    • Nuclear Security and Safeguards Training
    • View Nuclear Security and Safeguards TrainingAdditional Training OpportunitiesNuclear Security Training
    • Office of National Security and International Studies
    • Office of National Security and International Studies
    • View Office of National Security and International StudiesCollaboratorsPublicationsOutreach
    • Pathogen Research Databases
    • Pathogen Research Databases
    • View Pathogen Research Databases
    • Research Opportunities
    • Research Opportunities
    • View Research OpportunitiesQuantum InstituteSeaborg InstituteCenter for Nonlinear Studies
    • Hydrogen Portal
    • Hydrogen Portal
    • View Hydrogen PortalHydrogen ProductionHydrogen StorageFuel Cell and Hydrogen Conversion CapabilitiesEnergy Transition Center of ExcellenceCross-Cutting CapabilitiesTech SnapshotsH2-News
    • SmartTensors AI Platform
    • SmartTensors AI Platform
    • View SmartTensors AI Platform
  • Community
  • Community
    • Economic and Workforce Development
    • Economic and Workforce Development
    • View Economic and Workforce DevelopmentCommunity Technical Assistance ProgramNorthern New Mexico Community Data SprintWorkforce Development
    • Education
    • Education
    • View EducationGirls in STEMHigher EducationMath & Science Academy for TeachersNM Governor's STEM ChallengeRequest Educational SupportSTEM Education Programs
    • Giving
    • Giving
    • View GivingEmployee Giving CampaignScholarship FundGrants and Sponsorships
    • Triad’s Community Commitment Plan
    • Triad’s Community Commitment Plan
    • View Triad’s Community Commitment Plan
    • Public Town Hall
    • Public Town Hall
    • View Public Town Hall
    • HAZMAT Challenge
    • HAZMAT Challenge
    • View HAZMAT Challenge
  • Environment
  • Environment
    • Environmental Sustainability
    • Environmental Sustainability
    • View Environmental SustainabilityMeet the TeamWater ReuseYour RoleEnvironmental AwardsLANL's InitiativesGoals & ProgressPollution PreventionRecyclingGreen Purchasing
    • Public Reading Room
    • Public Reading Room
    • View Public Reading Room
    • Environmental Perspective
    • Environmental Perspective
    • View Environmental Perspective
    • Community Relations Plan
    • Community Relations Plan
    • View Community Relations Plan
    • Environmental Stories
    • Environmental Stories
    • View Environmental StoriesMeltwater effects on flow of Greenland’s ice sheetPat Gallagher recognized posthumouslyNot all bird populations dwindling at LANLNew process speeds conversion of biomass to fuelsLaboratory to demolish excavation enclosuresDOE recognizes Los Alamos with awards for sustainabilityClimate change cripples forestsLANL names Jeffrey Mousseau Associate DirectorLos Alamos catalyst could jumpstart e-cars, green energyHomesteading on the Pajarito Plateau lecture at LANLCobalt holds promise as an industrial catalystPreserving the past for future generationsLANL Pollution PreventionLANL selects small businesses for environmental workSustainable practices support Lab growthCellulose structure requires fewer enzymesWildfires may contribute to global warmingEnvironmental impact considered at LANLTaking the long view on environmental stewardshipEnvironmental SamplingWhen you want the gold, go greenLos Alamos Research featured in Nature Climate Change
    • Environmental Report
    • Environmental Report
    • View Environmental Report
    • Electrical Power Capacity Upgrade Project
    • Electrical Power Capacity Upgrade Project
    • View Electrical Power Capacity Upgrade Project
    • Environmental Protection
    • Environmental Protection
    • View Environmental ProtectionEnvironmental Management SystemWildlife ProtectionCultural PreservationComplianceEnvironmental OutreachMonitoringTrailsMitigating Wildland FiresIndustrial Permit
    • Flanged Tritium Waste Containers
    • Flanged Tritium Waste Containers
    • View Flanged Tritium Waste Containers
  • News & Media
  • Quick Links
  • Careers
Back
    Careers
    News & Media
    • Discover
    • News Stories
    • Podcasts
    • Publications
    • Gallery
    • Videos
    • Media Contacts
    Quick Links
    • About
    • Badging
    • Business
    • Contacts
    • Maps
    • Museum
    • Organizations
    • New Hires
    • Publications
    • Research Library
    Mission
    Science & Innovation
    Collaboration
    Community
    Environment

    The Future

    • Culture
    • The Past
    • The Present
    • The Future
  • The Future
  • Organizations
  • View Organizations
  • Radiation Protection
  • View Radiation Protection
      Annual Occupational Radiation Dosimetry Report
    Nuclear Engineering and Nonproliferation
  • Electron Microscopy Lab
  • View Electron Microscopy Lab
      Apreo S, Apreo 2 S, and Inspect F SEMsHelios G4 PFIB DualBeamHelios Nanolab 600 DualBeam SEM/FIBThermoFisher Tecnai F30 TEMThermoFisher Titan 80-300
    Operations (DDOPS)
  • Chemical, Earth and Life Sciences
  • View Chemical, Earth and Life Sciences
      BioscienceChemistryEarth and Environmental Sciences
    A-1: Information Systems & Modeling
  • Physical Sciences
  • View Physical Sciences
      Accelerator Operations and TechnologyMaterials Physics and ApplicationsMaterials Science and TechnologyPhysicsSigmaCivilian Nuclear ProgramsOffice of Science Programs
  • Safeguards and Security Technology Training Program
  • View Safeguards and Security Technology Training Program
      About UsCoursesFacilityLogisticsOnline TrainingStaffTechnical References
    Weapons Production
  • Detonator Production
  • View Detonator Production
      CultureThe PastThe PresentThe Future
    LANL Home
    /
    Organizations
    /
    dp division
    /
    future
    /

    Preparing for the future of nuclear security

    From the beginning, Los Alamos National Laboratory has continued to advance detonators

    Future Featured Body   960x500

    The soda can–sized detonators used in Fat Man during the Manhattan Project evolved into more efficient EBWs that are safer and no larger than the tip of a thumb. Even though the EBW design is still the go-to for most industries in the world, the Lab strives to improve upon the safety and reliability of its products.

    Recent detonator technology has steered toward exploding foil initiation, or slappers. EBWs and slappers rely on similar physics—an electrical charge to vaporize material, a shockwave to ignite the explosive. However, the slapper is easier to manufacture, smaller, and safer than the EBW. Each slapper is handmade at the Laboratory using thin sheets of insulating film and gold foil. Although slappers have become the new standard, and Detonator Production continues to produce and improve this technology, we also are designing production processes for the detonators of the future.

    One technology currently under development by the Lab’s design agency is the optical detonator. Unlike its predecessors, the optical detonator is based on laser initiation rather than an electrical pathway. The optical detonator removes the ever-present hazard posed by electrical initiation, instead using radiation at a specific wavelength to set off the detonator. This specificity reduces the risk of accidental detonation, bringing us closer to a “lock-and-key” model of security for our weapons.

    In addition to this added safety, the overall design of optical detonators is smaller because the high-voltage electrical source is no longer necessary. This allows us to further reduce the size of our already miniature detonators.

    Detonator production tech pressing
    Detonator machine
    Production tech at table
    ×
    1/3
    Detonator production tech pressing
    2/3
    Detonator machine
    3/3
    Production tech at table

    The innovative designs of new detonators often require novel manufacturing methods. Detonator Production is expanding its capabilities to include additive manufacturing, transfer molding, miniaturization, and physical vapor deposition. Adding capabilities requires a growing workforce of technicians, technologists, and engineers.

    With a history of innovation that became the industry standard, Detonator Production will remain on the forefront of detonator technology and production.

    Fabrication through Innovation

    Be a part of something extraordinary

    Learn Moreabout the article: Fabrication through Innovation

    DETONATOR PRODUCTION HISTORY, NEWS, AND FEATURED STORIES

    How 9/11 impacted the mission of national security laboratories image

    How 9/11 impacted the mission of national security laboratories

    It takes a weapons lab to find a weapons lab – whether that lab is in a state-of-the-art facility inside our adversary’s border, or in a shed tucked into a mountainside

    Read More
    NNSA leader visits Lab, praises mission dedication, perseverance during COVID-19 image

    NNSA leader visits Lab, praises mission dedication, perseverance during COVID-19

    Recently confirmed Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration Jill Hruby lauded the Laboratory’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and praised several significant infrastructure improvements.

    Read More
    What’s shaking? image

    What’s shaking?

    Understanding underground explosions starts with better geologic models

    Read More
    Neutron-clustering effect in nuclear reactors demonstrated for first time image

    Neutron-clustering effect in nuclear reactors demonstrated for first time

    Long-theorized phenomenon observed in a working reactor could improve reactor safety, according to a new study

    Read More
    Los Alamos National Laboratory's Centrifuge Test Facility adds a key capability image

    Los Alamos National Laboratory's Centrifuge Test Facility adds a key capability

    The ability to image internal components during high-stress and -strain a major advancement

    Read More
    Discovery of new material could someday aid in nuclear nonproliferation image

    Discovery of new material could someday aid in nuclear nonproliferation

    Newly discovered quasicrystal was created by the first nuclear explosion at Trinity Site

    Read More
    Remembering a 'true titan' of nuclear industry, Pete Lyons image

    Remembering a 'true titan' of nuclear industry, Pete Lyons

    Peter B. Lyons, who the Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) called a "true titan" of nuclear industry, passed away in Golden, CO on Friday, April 29, following a year-long battle with cancer.

    Read More

    Los Alamos National Laboratory

    P.O. Box 1663

    Los Alamos, NM 87545

    (505) 667-5061

    At The Lab

    • Business Opportunities
    • Jobs
    • Organizations
    • Research Library
    • User Facilities

    Information

    • Emergency
    • Events, Lectures
    • Ombuds
    • Resources
    • Reading Room
    • Science Museum

    For Employees

    • AskIT
    • LANLInside
    • MyMail
    • New Hire Process
    • SSL Portal
    • Training
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Use/Privacy
    • Site Feedback

    Managed by Triad National Security, LLC for the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s NNSA

    Copyright 2023 Triad National Security, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

    Learn about the Department of Energy’s Vulnerability Disclosure Program