The Department of Energy has released a video of a subcritical nuclear test.
A subcritical test results in no yield and would be permissable, even under a comprehensive test ban. Subcritical tests are used to determine the physical properties of fissile materials.
Of course, subcritical tests can raise suspicion, as Wolfgang Panofsky has noted, that a country is conducting concealable low yield testing. In 1997, Russian subcritical experiments appear to have coincided with an earthquake, leading to claims that Russia was conducting clandestine low-yield tests.
The decision to publish a film of a subcritical test is one that I think should be commended, rather than subject to demonstration.
Suzanne Jones and Frank Von Hippel proposed some transparency measures for subcritical tests.
Pavel Podvig | March 6, 2006
It was 1997.
[I've updated it, thanks...]
MKH | March 6, 2006
What do you think the marbles are for? Just packing material?
Michael Mealling | March 6, 2006
But where’s the Kaboom! There was supposed to be an earth shattering kaboom!
Darren Bane | March 7, 2006
I’m not an expert, but those marbles seemed to be made of glass. And vitrification is a good way to stabilise nuclear waste before you bury it.