How does the neutron bomb work?

Answer 1

A neutron bomb is a type of hydrogen bomb. It actually was a development that came from the late 1950s work by the US to make "clean hydrogen bombs" that produced very little fallout.

In a conventional hydrogen bomb the tamper (device to contain the nuclear reaction as long as possible to get as much energy from it as possible) is usually made with depleted uranium because of its high density and low cost. While depleted uranium will not support a neutron chain reaction it will fission when hit by the high energy neutrons produced by the fusion reaction of the hydrogen bomb. This depleted uranium fast fission can produce up to 90% of the total yield in some hydrogen bomb designs, as well as a proportional amount of the fallout.

In a "clean hydrogen bomb" the tamper is instead made of some other very dense metal that unlike uranium will not fission when hit by high energy neutrons. Lead and tungsten have been used. However the explosive yield of a "clean hydrogen bomb" will be lower than a similar conventional hydrogen bomb because there is no fission in the tamper.

But as these materials do not consume the high energy neutrons, they escape from "clean hydrogen bombs". It was observed that these neutrons easily pass through tank armor and building walls, killing those inside while the lower yield produces less blast and fire damage. Thus was born the idea of the neutron bomb.

Answer 2

A neutron bomb is a type of nuclear weapon that produces a large amount of neutron radiation while minimizing blast and thermal effects. The radiation is highly lethal to living organisms but causes minimal damage to buildings and structures. When detonated, the neutron bomb releases a burst of neutrons that can penetrate armor or underground structures to eliminate enemy forces.