Some interesting academic papers on 4th generation nuclear weapons (fusion)

[John Q. Citizen]

I knew little about research and development of 4th generation nuclear fusion bombs before reading these papers.

They have some very interesting information both as to how fusion weapons could be utilized on the battlefield and the political implications of 4th generation nuclear weapons on the public/governmental interface, but also into the questions of how much research is going on and the legality of that research under existing test ban treaties.

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ON 4TH GENERATION FUSION WEAPONS

1. They can produce small localized yet intense explosions. As small as 100 kilos (220 lbs)of TNT in equivalent energy release.

2.They can produce vastly lower amounts and durations of radiation than do earlier generation fission weapons.

3. Research and Development of fusion weapons is taking place around the world.

4th Generation Nuclear Weapons
Military Effectiveness and Collateral Damage

http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/physics/pdf/0510/0510071.pdf

Andre Gsponer
Independent Scientific Research Institute
Box 30, CH1211
Geneva12,
Switzerland
Version ISRI0503.17
May 23, 2006
Abstract
The paper begins with a general introduction and update to Fourth Generation
Nuclear Weapons (FGNW), and then addresses some particularly
important military aspects on which there has been only limited public
discussion so far. These aspects concern the unique military characteristics
of FGNWs which make them radically different from both nuclear
weapons based on previousgeneration
nuclearexplosives
and from conventional
weapons based on chemicalexplosives:
yields in the 1 to 100 tons
range, greatly enhanced coupling to targets, possibility to drive powerful
shapedcharge
jets and forged fragments, enhanced prompt radiation effects,
reduced collateral damage and residual radioactivity, etc.


**************************************************************************

The Question of Pure Fusion
Explosions Under the CTBT (Comprehensive test Ban Treaty)

http://www.princeton.edu/~globsec/publications/pdf/7_2Jones.pdf#search=%22Fusion%20Research%20Prompts%20Fears%20Of%20Future%20Bombs%22

Suzanne L. Joneso and Frank N. von Hippelb
Fusion research involving implosions of deuterium-tritium targets driven by laser or
particle beams appears to be widely accepted as not prohibited under the Comprehensive
Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Research on fusion involving implosions driven by other
means is underway in civilian and military laboratories in the US and other countries
and could result in small (up to perhaps a few tons TNT equivalent) explosive fusion
energy releases. However, the status of such experiments under the CTBT has not
been clearly defined. Until the potential for this research to lead to the development of
pure fusion weapons has been openly reviewed and an appropriate policy governing its
conduct is established in the context of the CTBT, such experiments should be subject
to two interim limits: (1) a maximum of -1014 neutrons produced; and (2) a ban on the
use of tritium.

[whistle]

1. Are these the super WMDs Dubya has been waiting far to use

....against the enemies of Amerika?

[wildbilln864]

2. Hey John...

thanks for the heads up and the reply. :hi:

Like small tactical nukes! I'm sured I'd be amazed to know all the secret weapons currently being developed by our tax dollars.
Better in my opinion to spend that money finding ways to live peacefully and solve problems like global warming and so many many other worthwhile things.

Peace!

[TheWraith]

3. 4G nukes are a LOOOOONG way from being weaponized.

At this point they can only even think about producing these sorts of reactions using very high end lab equipment. There's no chance of actually putting such things in the field in the forseeable future, not for decades at least. We'd have to know how to detonate them, for starters--unless the enemy lets us build a gigawatt laser near any potential target.

[John Q. Citizen]

4. It will be sooner than we think, I'd guess.

There are a lot of companies and countries working with various methods to achieve fusion. There's a reason for all that research.