A far-reaching project behind the discovery of neutron-induced radioactivity

Nuclear studies leading to Fermi's discovery of neutron-induced radioactivity have already been investigated thoroughly in a historical perspective. However, the Physics Institute in Rome and its approach to neutron research have somehow been neglected. In particular, the project underlying Fermi's discovery deserves greater attention. This paper deals mainly with the Roman Institute, and its preparation for investigating neutron physics, up to the time of Fermi's discovery of neutron-induced radioactivity in 1934. The relevance of nuclear issues had been acknowledged in Rome as far back as 1929. The Institute had been oriented to nuclear studies since then, but in 1933 it was still not involved in experimental research on nuclear physics, on account of the lack of adequate supplies. An adjustment of the equipment and supplies was then made so that strong radioactive sources, Geiger–Müller counters and Wilson chambers, for nuclear research, eventually became available at the end of 1933, thanks largely to Rasetti's efforts. Some aspects of Fermi's search for neutron-induced radioactivity are also reviewed here.