Submitted by Robo-Connery t3_zl56h9 in science
zbobet2012 t1_j0599dj wrote
Reply to comment by Robo-Connery in National Ignition Facility (NIF) announces net positive energy fusion experiment by Robo-Connery
Wouldn't the largest proliferation risk simply be the increased knowledge of the high density regime ICF uses making it easier to make a fission-fusion-fission bomb (an "h-bomb")? I believe some of results of research at NIF are classified no?
Robo-Connery OP t1_j06q0s8 wrote
Absolutely correct. Tonnes of high density matter stuff is classified, if you do work on this in general with laser plasmas the government is gonna come and steal your work (has happened to acquaintances).
I think though the limiting factor in making a passable h-bomb is the fission warhead though, not the fusion stage. The US and other nuclear powers care about this stuff to make efficient and clean weapons rather than to just make weapons (they made them in the 50s without any lasers or plasmas).
Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments