Nuclear physics
Deuterium
A heavy isotope of hydrogen with one neutron, used as fusion fuel in thermonuclear weapons.
Deuterium occurs naturally at about 1 atom per 6,420 of normal hydrogen. In thermonuclear weapons, lithium-6 deuteride (a solid compound) is the fusion fuel — neutron irradiation of the lithium produces tritium in situ, which then fuses with deuterium to release energy.
Related terms
Tritium
A radioactive heavy isotope of hydrogen with two neutrons, used as fusion fuel and in boosted-fission weapons.
Nuclear Fusion
The combination of light atomic nuclei (typically deuterium and tritium) into heavier nuclei, releasing energy.
Thermonuclear Weapon
Synonym for hydrogen bomb — a nuclear weapon whose primary energy comes from fusion reactions.