The red mercury saga

The preparation, properties and use in nuclear weapons of red mercury are described. It can be used to produce neutron‐bomb‐like weapons and perhaps also low‐yield lightweight fusion weapons. These would contain deuterium and tritium but not enriched uranium or plutonium and hence their production and distribution would not be a breach of the Non‐Proliferation Treaty.

Key Words:

• Red mercury
• Neutron bomb
• Non‐Proliferation Treaty