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From: annala%neuro.usc.edu@usc.edu (A J Annala)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Linear implosion in nuclear weapons?
Keywords: nuclear implosion fusion fission
Message-ID: <11336@cbnews.ATT.COM>
Date: 11 Nov 89 06:20:38 GMT
References: <10711@cbnews.ATT.COM> <10744@cbnews.ATT.COM>
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From: annala%neuro.usc.edu@usc.edu (A J Annala)

The idea that fusion weapons depend on xrays or styrofoam/plastic is
totally FUBAR.  The fact is that when the fission device used as the
trigger is detonated a whole lot of neutrons is released.  The next
stage of the device (the actual fusion weapon) consists of a uranium
wrapper around a lithium6-deuteride core.  The initial neutrons make
the Li6D convert to tritium-deuterium (T-D) and cause fast fissions 
in the uranium wrapper.  The fast fissions generate heat causing the
uranium wrapper to expand (both away from and toward the Li6D core).
The expansion toward the core compresses the T-D to fusion pressure
and temperature.  The T-D burns releasing additional fast neutrons.
These new neutrons cause additional fast fissions in the uranium
wrapper.  The cycle repeats and the wrapper holds the core together
until the fuel in the core is completely burned.

xrays and styrofoam/plastic are more or less irrelevant to the process.