Question about variable yield nuclear weapons

ColonelKlink1701 said:
I was wondering how it is possible for them to "dial" the yield without adding or removing any fissionable material.
Click to expand...

It probably, just inserts the tamper deeper, to reflect more stray neutrons back at the Uranium-Plutonium. Basically, turning a crank pushes a piece of metal deeper within the bomb.
 
Variable yield can be achieved through two methods:

First the implosion lens can be slightly varied to produce a sub-optimal crush. The surface area of the fissionable material is increased allowing more neutrons to escape thereby reducing the yield.

Second the couplings between the primary and secondary can be broken before detonation. For example in a fission-fizzle the primary fission core is coupled through an x-ray lens to a tritium-lithium fusion secondary.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top