By: Arjun Makhijani and Hisham Zerriffi

Full report [PDF 1.2MB] | Press Release and Statements | Ordering information Table of Contents Preface Summary and Recommendations Summary of Findings Recommendations Chapter 1: Varieties of Nuclear Weapons A. Historical Background B. Converting Matter into Energy C. Fission energy D. Fusion energy E. Fission-fusion weapons Chapter 2: Inertial Confinement Fusion Basics A. Deposition of driver energy B. Driver requirements C. Fuel pellet compression D. Thermonuclear ignition Chapter 3: Various ECF Schemes A. Laser Drivers B. Ion Beam Drivers 1. Heavy Ion Beams a. Induction Accelerators b. Radio-Frequency Accelerators 2. Light Ion Beams C. Z-pinch D. Chemical Explosives E. Advanced materials manufacturing 1. Nanotechnology 2. Metallic Hydrogen Chapter 4: The Prospects for Pure Fusion Weapons A. Requirements for pure fusion weapons B. Overall assessment of non-fission-triggered nuclear weapons 1. Ignition 2. Drivers C. Overall technical prognosis for non-fission triggered nuclear weapons D. Fusion power and fusion weapons - comparative requirements Chapter 5: Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues Related to Explosive Confinement Fusion A. The Science Based Stockpile Stewardship Program 1. Reliability a. Reliability definition b. Future reliability problems c. Relevance of NIF to reliability of the current stockpile 2. The US laser fusion program as a weapons development program 3. Other countries B. Proliferation C. CTBT and ICF References