Montreal Laboratory

Establishing the Montreal Laboratory: A Crucial Step in World War II

The Montreal Laboratory was established by the National Research Council of Canada during World War II to undertake nuclear research and collaborate with the UK on nuclear projects. This laboratory, born out of necessity and strategic foresight, played a pivotal role in the development of atomic energy. Imagine it as a beacon of scientific endeavor amidst the chaos of war—scientists from different corners of the globe coming together under one roof to push the boundaries of knowledge.

The Early Days: A Fusion of Talents

French scientists who escaped to Britain after the Fall of France were relocated to Canada due to security concerns and patent claims. The Montreal Laboratory was established in 1942, moved to permanent accommodation in March 1943, and began working on reactor design with British scientists. However, American cooperation broke down, and the laboratory’s efforts were redirected to Chalk River Laboratories, where two reactors (ZEEP and NRX) were built between 1944 and 1947.

Key Figures: The Pioneers of Nuclear Research

Laurence was visited by R. H. Fowler and John Cockcroft who brought news of similar research being carried out in Britain and the US. Through Fowler, Laurence obtained an introduction to Lyman J. Briggs, who supplied copies of American studies. Cockcroft arranged for a $5,000 grant from Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) through a Canadian subsidiary. These interactions were crucial in shaping the direction of research at the Montreal Laboratory and ensuring it remained on the cutting edge.

The Challenges: A Race Against Time

For a neutron moderator, he used carbon in the form of petroleum coke. The experiments continued in 1942 but were ultimately unsuccessful due to impurities. This setback was just one of many challenges faced by the scientists at the Montreal Laboratory. They had to navigate through technical hurdles and political complexities while racing against time.

Security Concerns and Relocation

A team in France had been conducting similar experiments since 1939, using heavy water until the Fall of France when they escaped to Britain. Canada was an alternative source for heavy water, with Cominco producing it at its smelting plant. There the matter rested until 6 December, when Blaylock had a meeting with British physicist G.I. Higson, who informed him that Taylor had become discouraged with Cominco and was looking for another source of heavy water. Blaylock invited Taylor to visit Trail, where they found common ground and secured approval from the chairman of the board, Sir Edward Beatty.

Building a Team: The Montreal Laboratory’s Growth

Sir John Anderson replied that he envisaged a laboratory with about 30 scientists and 25 laboratory assistants, at an estimated running cost of £60,000 per annum. The British share would come from a billion-dollar war gift from Canada. The Canadians found this acceptable. Howe and Mackenzie travelled to London to finalise arrangements for the laboratory’s governance.

A Policy Committee consisting of Howe, MacDonald, and Halban was agreed upon, while research would be directed by a Technical Committee chaired by Halban. The laboratory was originally planned to be located in Montreal, but housing space was difficult to find; an alternative location at the Université de Montréal was secured instead.

Research and Development: A Multifaceted Approach

The Montreal Laboratory investigated multiple avenues of reactor development, including a homogeneous reactor with a uranium compound dissolved in heavy water. They experimented with methods of preparing such a uranium compound but were unable to find one with the required density. Attention turned to a heterogeneous reactor, where uranium metal rods were immersed in heavy water.

Collaboration and Conflict: The Path Forward

To build a working nuclear reactor, the Montreal Lab relied on the Americans for heavy water but faced obstacles due to American reluctance. In June 1943, work at the Montreal Lab came to a halt, and morale was low. The Canadian Government considered cancelling the project, but Prime Minister Mackenzie King hosted the Quebec Conference in August 1943, which led to renewed cooperation between Canada, the US, and Britain.

The Final Agreement: A New Chapter

A final agreement was reached on 20 May 1944, under which the Americans would assist with the construction of a heavy water reactor in Canada and provide technical assistance. The September 1944 Hyde Park Agreement extended commercial and military cooperation into the post-war period.

Leadership Changes: A New Era

Hans von Halban was replaced as head of nuclear physics division due to his poor administration and security concerns. Canadian scientists left for Britain, and new leadership was established in Montreal. After the Liberation of Paris, French scientists returned home. Halban was not allowed to work or leave North America for a year but eventually settled in England in 1946.

Building Success: The ZEEP and NRX Reactors

The decision was made to build a small reactor at Chalk River, Ontario, to test calculations before proceeding with the full-scale NRX reactor. Kowarski joined the laboratory and designed the ZEEP reactor. The Americans provided support with information and visits, loaning heavy water and uranium metal for the project.

On September 5, 1945, Igor Gouzenko defected to Canada with documents detailing Soviet intelligence espionage activities in Canada. No evidence that he was a Soviet agent has ever been established, but the GRU obtained samples of uranium and blueprints of the NRX, for which Nunn May could not have been the source, and Pontecorvo remains the prime suspect.

Legacy: A Fruitful International Venture

The Montreal Laboratory had been a fruitful and successful international venture, although the Canadians had on occasion been resentful of British actions that were perceived as high-handed and insensitive. Roosevelt died on 12 April 1945, and the Hyde Park Agreement was not binding on subsequent administrations. The Special Relationship between Britain and the United States ‘became very much less special.’

The Americans soon made it clear that cooperation was restricted to basic scientific research. At the Combined Policy Committee meeting in February 1946, the British announced their intention to build a graphite-moderated nuclear reactor in the UK without prior consultation with Canada.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Scientific Collaboration

The Montreal Laboratory stands as a testament to international collaboration and scientific innovation. It was more than just a laboratory; it was a melting pot where ideas, cultures, and technologies converged to shape the future of atomic energy. The lessons learned from this period continue to influence global efforts in nuclear research and development.