Hydrogen bomb

A hydrogen bomb is a thermonuclear weapon whose explosive energy comes largely from fusion reactions. Its fusion fuel is typically compressed and heated by energy from a fission primary.

Teller–Ulam design: A staged thermonuclear weapon design that uses radiation from a fission primary to compress and heat a separate fusion stage. This architecture is the basis of most modern hydrogen bombs.
Manhattan Project: The United States-led research and production program that developed the first atomic bombs during World War II. Its fission weapons and scientific institutions laid groundwork for thermonuclear research.
Nuclear deterrence: A strategy intended to prevent attack by threatening unacceptable retaliation with nuclear weapons. The immense destructive capacity of hydrogen bombs strengthened deterrence claims.
Atomic bomb: A nuclear weapon whose explosive energy comes primarily from nuclear fission. Hydrogen bombs differ by drawing much of their energy from fusion.
Nuclear fusion: A nuclear reaction in which light atomic nuclei combine, releasing energy when the products have lower total mass. Fusion reactions supply much of the energy in a thermonuclear weapon.
Ivy Mike: The first full-scale test of a thermonuclear device, conducted by the United States at Enewetak Atoll in 1952. It demonstrated a staged thermonuclear design, though it was not a practical deliverable weapon.
Mutual assured destruction: A deterrence condition in which opposing nuclear powers can each inflict catastrophic retaliation after a first strike. Thermonuclear arsenals made reciprocal catastrophic retaliation central to strategic thinking.
Fission weapon: A nuclear weapon powered principally by a fission chain reaction. This is the basic weapon type that thermonuclear designs extend with fusion stages.
Nuclear fission: The splitting of a heavy atomic nucleus into lighter nuclei, often releasing neutrons and energy. Fission initiates the explosion and can contribute substantially to its total yield.
RDS-6s: The first Soviet thermonuclear weapon tested, in 1953, using a layered design rather than the later staged configuration. It illustrates the distinct early Soviet route to thermonuclear weapons.

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