Theory 127/Nuclear fuel cycle/Onset phase
Fissile Content Sets Onset
The claim
A reactor can start when the ratio of fissile to fertile content exceeds the criticality requirement, so enrichment sets feasibility.
01Mechanism
Chain reaction requires enough fissile nuclei to sustain neutron production.
02Prediction
Criticality should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Criticality tracking total mass would remove enrichment.