weapon-grade plutonium

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Definition

Noun: * Weapons-usable plutonium: A specific, highly refined isotope of plutonium (primarily plutonium-239) that is suitable for use as the fissile material in the core of a nuclear weapon. It is characterized by a high concentration of the Pu-239 isotope, which is optimal for sustaining a fast, efficient nuclear chain reaction.

Usage
  • The term is used primarily in technical, military, and non-proliferation contexts to describe material of a specific composition that poses a direct proliferation risk.
  • It distinguishes material suitable for weapons from reactor-grade plutonium, which is typically less pure in Pu-239 and considered less ideal for weapon design.
Examples
  • International treaties aim to prevent the diversion of weapon-grade plutonium from civilian nuclear programs.
  • The secure disposal of weapon-grade plutonium from decommissioned warheads is a significant challenge.
  • Safeguards are in place to account for every gram of weapon-grade plutonium in the country's inventory.
Advanced Usage
  • The term is often used in discussions about nuclear disarmament, fissile material cut-off treaties, and the security of nuclear materials.
  • In technical specifications, it may be defined by the percentage of Pu-240 present, with a low percentage (typically below 7%) being indicative of weapon-grade quality.
Variants and Related Words
  • Weapons-grade plutonium: A common variant spelling.
  • Fissile material: A broader category that includes weapon-grade plutonium, weapon-grade uranium, and other materials capable of sustaining a fission chain reaction.
  • Plutonium pit: The core component of a nuclear weapon, which contains the weapon-grade plutonium.
  • Reactor-grade plutonium: Plutonium produced as a byproduct in commercial nuclear power reactors, which has a higher concentration of isotopes like Pu-240 and is generally considered less suitable for efficient weapons.
Synonyms
  • Weapons-usable plutonium
  • Military-grade plutonium
Noun
  1. plutonium 239 that is recovered when nuclear weapons are disassembled; it is stored in plutonium pits

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