Libro: PHYSICS OF NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVES

This book (an improved English version of the one published in Portuguese in 2009) deals with topics essential to understanding the physics of nuclear explosives. Prepared based on strictly academic scientific activity, it is intended for those who wish to know more deeply the theory and physical processes involved in nuclear explosions. The main topics covered are: neutronic and criticality (neutron transport); hydrodynamics and thermodynamics at high temperatures and densities; dense and heavy plasmas; opacity and transport of thermal radiation; hydrodynamic theory of chemical detonations; shock waves, dynamic compression of solids, implosions; statistics of fission chain reactions; and inertial confinement fusion (thermonuclear detonations). Three types of explosives are analyzed: Pure fission explosives, the so-called “boosted bombs” (with the introduction of deuterium-tritium into the fissile mass) and thermonuclear explosives. Results of complex numerical and computational simulations (many of which presumably have never been published in the open scientific literature) are presented and discussed. ““The Physics of Nuclear Explosives” provides a rather comprehensive account of the physical principles involved in nuclear detonations, including both fission and fusion weapons. The author has broken new ground in presenting the results of his numerical simulations of nuclear detonations and characterizations of particular weapons, such as the W-87 warhead,” Steven Aftergood – Federation of American Scientists