Physics and Disarmament, TU Dortmund University

Physics has played a central role in the creation of nuclear bombs and is still an important factor in the qualitative arms race. On the other hand physics can also be used for disarmament. We work in two research fields:

1. Co-operative verification of disarmament and peace agreements, as well as monitoring underground repositories, by automatic sensor systems using acoustic, seismic and magnetic signals;
2. Military technology assessment and preventive arms control.

The work started in 1988 as the Bochum Verification Project (BVP) at Ruhr-Universität Bochum and since 1999 has been continued at Experimentelle Physik III, Technische Universität Dortmund.