Last Updated: 19\/9\/1995<\/p>\n
Introduction and Charter of the High Energy Weapons Archive<\/p>\n
At the time of the Gulf War, Norman Schwarzkopf remarked: <\/p>\n
“War is a profanity because, let’s face it, you’ve got two opposing sides
\ntrying to settle their differences by killing as many of each other as
\nthey can.”<\/p>\n
Which brings us to nuclear weapons…<\/p>\n
Since the first test at Alamogordo, our world governments have exploded
\nin total over 2000 of these devices at their bombing ranges (Lop Nor,
\nKazhakstan, Nevada, Micronesia). They’ve done it in the air, on the ground,
\nbelow the ground, and in the water. The tests still go on today.<\/p>\n
The purpose of this archive is to illuminate to the reader the effects
\nof these nasty devices, and to warn against their use.<\/p>\n
At this time, although the threat of a nuclear world war has reduced,
\nthere are other threats to our tentative peace which have emerged.
\nThese involve regional conflicts, and the activities of terrorist parties
\nor nations. They involve issues such as plutonium smuggling, and the sale
\nof weapons technology (possibly clandestine) to militaristic nations.<\/p>\n
Continued nuclear testing is also another problem. It reinforces the
\nposition of the London Club nations, and gives incentive to the rest of
\nthe world for removing their monopoly. In fact, this was China’s
\njustification for joining the Club. With Pakistan and North Korea’s incipient
\nentry, horizontal proliferation is a tangible threat. You can expect nations
\ninvolved in regional conflicts to back their threats up with a nuclear fist if
\nthey have one. If you have a weapon and your survival is threatened, there is a
\nstrong chance you will use it in defense, no matter the consequences. This was
\nthe U.S. Government’s justification for the A-bombing of Japan. It saved the
\nlives of their soldiers. Little mention was made of Japanese
\ncivilians (collateral damage).<\/p>\n
The decision to bomb Japan was made in secret. This led directly to the arms
\nrace we are currently involved in. Russia felt threatened, and embarked on
\nits own bomb program, eventually producing one in 1949. In turn, the Americans
\nfelt threatened, and embarked on the thermonuclear program. This culminated in
\nthe pivotal Mike test of 1952. Nuclear blackmail during the Korean War led
\nChina to make a bomb. Public disclosure and discussion before Hiroshima would
\nhave helped avoid the situation we are in today. Hence the need for an informed
\nand vigilant worldwide public.<\/p>\n
My aim in setting up this archive is to shine a light on the shadowy world of
\nhigh energy weapons, particularly the thermonuclear kind. You will find here
\nbrief notes describing the conceptual basis of nuclear weapons, the
\nexperiences of Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors, and graphics of nuclear
\nexplosions. The conceptual notes are based on public domain references,
\nand do not contain technical specifications to weapon design. In other words,
\nthere is no quantitative information. The notes are there to show where the
\nproduct particles of nuclear weapons come from, and how they can cause damage.
\nThese include neutrons, X-rays, and the highly radioactive fission fragments
\nsuch as strontium-90 and cesium-137. A basic grasp of what goes on inside
\na weapon is helpful in understanding issues like plutonium smuggling, and
\nthe problems of a monitoring nuclear test ban.<\/p>\n
I set up this archive because I saw the need for a collation of nuclear
\nmaterial on the net. To make informed decisions one needs correct and relevant
\nknowledge. Equipped with these brief notes, and other material found in
\nthe References, you can be more informed on the proliferation issue.<\/p>\n
Please note that some of the material in the archive is pure assumption. To
\nsupport or deny some of the statements requires an extensive weapons testing
\nprogram. Please use the material as a guide only, and always check the factual
\nbase of the material, no matter where it comes from.<\/p>\n
Note on this Archive’s History<\/p>\n
The HEW Archive was at Melbourne University, Australia for a year, until
\nit was closed down by enforcement of university regulations concerning
\nuse of computing facilities. On its impending closure, however, Xgateway
\nFinland Ltd offered it a new home in Espoo, Finland, just outside Helsinki.<\/p>\n
Note on the Archive Maintainer<\/p>\n
Gary Au was born in 1971, Hong Kong, and is a naturalised Australian
\ncitizen. He holds a BSc(Hons) in theoretical physics from Melbourne
\nUniversity, Australia. He is currently submitting a PhD on theoretical
\nparticle physics at the same institution.<\/p>\n
