How did the hydrogen fusion bomb utilize the atomic fission bomb?

Answer 1

The fusion bomb is triggered by the fission bomb which is triggered by chemical explosives. It is a two or more stage device:

1. Detonators on the chemical explosive lenses of the fission bomb are fired.
2. The chemical explosive lenses reshape the explosion to an implosion.
3. The implosion shock wave compresses the subcritical pit of the fission bomb to supercritical.
4. A neutron source is fired through the supercritical pit causing uncontrolled fission.
5. X-rays from the fission bomb travel through a radiation channel the length of the fusion bomb, causing a radiation implosion of the fusion bomb.
6. The implosion of the fusion bomb compresses and heats its Lithium Deuteride fuel and Plutonium "sparkplug" rod running the length of the fusion bomb.
7. When the "sparkplug" becomes supercritical, neutrons from the fission bomb arrive causing uncontrolled fission.
8. Neutrons from the fissioning "sparkplug" cause the Lithium in the fusion fuel to produce Tritium.
9. The mixture of Deuterium and Tritium, caught between the radiation implosion and "sparkplug" fission explosion is compressed and heated until it undergoes fusion.
10. High energy (15 MeV) neutrons from fusion cause fission of Uranium-238 in the tamper, which provides about 90% of the yield of the bomb.