thermonuclear weapon

Also known as hydrogen bomb, H-bomb, thermonuclear bomb, fusion bomb

2-stage nuclear fission/fusion weapon

AI overview

A thermonuclear weapon is a nuclear bomb that uses a two-stage process—first a fission explosion to trigger a much larger fusion reaction—allowing it to produce far more destructive power than simpler nuclear weapons. It matters because these weapons represent the most powerful destructive devices ever created, making them central to global security concerns and nuclear deterrence strategy.

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Wikidata facts

Image: B53 bomb.jpg

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time of discovery or invention: 1952-00-00
Commons category: Nuclear weapons

Sources (2)

via Wikidata · CC0

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Article

Diagram of the US W88 warhead, a standard thermonuclear design.

The "primary": a fission weapon that triggers the secondary The "secondary": fission and fusion fuel imploded by radiation Radiation case: Channels x-ray radiation from primary to secondary. Channel filler: Plastic foam that improves radiation implosion Booster gas canister: Periodic replacement as tritium gas decays.