N-test was a total success — AEC chief

Scientists consider these radioactive samples as the `black box’ as they give the exact picture of what had taken place during and immediately after a nuclear detonation.

“The samples have fully confirmed that the yields were what we have predicted. The signatures left behind in the samples in the form of radioactivity have matched with the post-blast records,” the AEC chairman said.

The task of retrieving the core samples were done by scientists ofthe AEC, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and the Atomic Minerals Division.

Chidambaram later told reporters that the radioactivity signatures should put to rest any controversy or doubts regarding the yields of the Pokharan II blasts.

On the doubts raised over the yields of the blasts after analysis of seismic data, Chidambaram said, “Seismic data will not give the correct picture because of geological mediation.

“The analysis of the core samples gives a correct and exact picture,” he added.

The AEC chief pointed out that nine global stations that had monitored the Pokharan blasts, had now put the yield between 45 and 68 kilo tonnes.

“That hits the bulls eye, because that was what we had predicted. And the core samples have given the same results with greater precision,” he added.