The Intrinsic Field Subtractor is a machine that utilizes radiation to remove intrinsic fields from solid objects. Typically, the object subjected to the machine's process is disintegrated. It is notably responsible for the physical transformation of Jon Osterman.
History[]
DC Timeline[]
Jon Osterman's Transformation[]
The Gila Flats Test Base ran studies and experiments using the intrinsic field subtractor. On August 20, 1959, nuclear physicist Jon Osterman is accidentally locked in the main chamber and obliterated by the radiation when the program cannot be overridden. Over the next few months, Osterman is able to reassemble himself into his new form, a blue-skinned superhuman being with extraordinary powers, one being the ability to control matter at a subatomic level, reflective of the nuclear energy that created him.
Karnak Variant[]
When Doctor Manhattan arrived to Karnak to confront Adrian Veidt, he hid from him. Veidt, using his pet lynx, Bubastis, tricked Osterman into entering the intrinsic field generator. While Osterman was stalled, Veidt threw the switch on an intrinsic field disrupter, obliterating both him and his pet.
Synder Timeline[]

the intrinsic field subtractor obliterating Osterman in the Synder timeline
HBO Timeline[]
Soviet Recreation[]
An arms race involving the recreation of intrinsic field chambers — the very technology which created Doctor Manhattan and escalated the Cold War — is currently underway either because the political situation is breaking down again or the Soviet Union is desperate to create another superhuman to counter another possible squid threat.
As of 2019, the Soviet Union has attempted to created their own version of the machine. In September 2019, intrinsic chamber talks were held in Moscow.
Trivia[]
- According to Watchmen, an intrinsic field is used to describe a field holding everything together except gravity. Although the term "intrinsic field" isn't used to describe that concept in real science, the idea does have a foundation in reality. Electromagnetism is the force that holds atoms together, and then there's a strong nuclear force and a weak nuclear force that work on the inside of the nuclei, inside the atoms, and the strong force holds the nuclei together