There is a subtle difference between an atom bomb and a nuclear bomb. A dive down the rabbit hole suggests that fast nuclear fission, as purportedly used in an atom bomb, is not possible, but slow nuclear fission, as used in a nuclear reactor is possible.
A nuclear bomb that's built using a traditional explosive core with a uranium or plutonium payload is still easily possible. In fact, given the performance of DU ammo, I suspect that 'tactical nukes' are in fact state-of-the-art nuclear bombs. Trad core surrounded by finely milled uranium, which is directed by the explosion and has a radiation footprint. Easily sold to the man in the street as a nuclear bomb. This is what a limited nuclear war will look like.
The fission process used in atom / nuclear bombs (no distinction in terminology) and reactors is the same process. In the bomb, the reaction is allowed to proceed in chain fashion with neutrons multiplying at each fission event in a runaway process. In the reactor, the neutrons are "moderated" to prevent a chain runaway, by absorbing them and changing their energy (temperature). Almost no uranium or plutonium is left over from a nuclear detonation (but there are fission products).
There is a subtle difference between an atom bomb and a nuclear bomb. A dive down the rabbit hole suggests that fast nuclear fission, as purportedly used in an atom bomb, is not possible, but slow nuclear fission, as used in a nuclear reactor is possible.
A nuclear bomb that's built using a traditional explosive core with a uranium or plutonium payload is still easily possible. In fact, given the performance of DU ammo, I suspect that 'tactical nukes' are in fact state-of-the-art nuclear bombs. Trad core surrounded by finely milled uranium, which is directed by the explosion and has a radiation footprint. Easily sold to the man in the street as a nuclear bomb. This is what a limited nuclear war will look like.
The fission process used in atom / nuclear bombs (no distinction in terminology) and reactors is the same process. In the bomb, the reaction is allowed to proceed in chain fashion with neutrons multiplying at each fission event in a runaway process. In the reactor, the neutrons are "moderated" to prevent a chain runaway, by absorbing them and changing their energy (temperature). Almost no uranium or plutonium is left over from a nuclear detonation (but there are fission products).