Title: Nuclear proliferation resistance: issues from technological and institutional viewpoints for the reconstruction of global security

Authors: T. Sawada

Addresses: Research Laboratory for Nuclear Reactors, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 N1-5 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8550, Japan

Abstract: The proliferation resistance of reactors and fuel cycles has been historically discussed and evaluated from the technological and institutional viewpoints since the 1940s. In particular, under the strong incentive of Carter|s Administration in the USA, during the Cold War period, a number of studies were performed to establish the framework of evaluating the degree of nuclear proliferation resistance. Since the end of the Cold War, the structure of the world seems to be changing toward a New World order. However, the evaluation framework of proliferation and the concept of proliferation resistance have not been changed. Here the conventional evaluation of the proliferation resistance is shortly reviewed. Also, issues related to the weapon usability of reactor-grade plutonium are addressed. These give a key knowledge basis to reconstruct global security in the sense of nuclear non-proliferation under the ongoing transformation of the world order.

Keywords: fizzle yield; global security; horizontal proliferation; implosion; institutional barriers; nuclear non-proliferation; proliferation resistance; reactor grade plutonium; technical barrier; vertical proliferation; weapon-usable nuclear material; nuclear security; nuclear weapons.

DOI: 10.1504/AFP.2006.010339

Atoms for Peace: an International Journal, 2006 Vol.1 No.2/3, pp.177 - 185

Published online: 15 Jul 2006 *

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