Ha tes sw a a iw DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES ATR FORCE WASHINGTON 25, D. C. 4 August 1952 AFOAT-1/TECH DIR MEMORANDUM FOR MAJOR GENERAL JOHN A. SAMPORD SUBJECT: Detection and Identification of IVY (Mike) 1. PROBLEM: To study the possibility of detection and positive identification of the thermonuclear weapon, IVY (Mike), by analysis of bomb debris collected at distant points. ce. DISCUSSION: The following discussion does not treat thermonuclear weapons in general but is specifically directed toward the IVY (Mike) weapon. Three cases are chosen, indicating: the extent to which the nuclear reaction may preceed. Significant criteria are considered for identifying the nature of the reaction. b. The capture-to-fission ratio for a weapon of this type is expected to exceed by several times the theo- retical maximum for a fission type weapon. e. The relative amounts of the Plutonium isotopes 238, 239, 240 and 241 will differ greatly from that produced by a fission type weapon. f. Tritium will be present in detectable amounts and will indicate that it was either an original constituent of the bomb or was generated in the explosion. g. Carbon 14 and Argon 37 will be formed in detectable quantities in both Mike and King shots. The interpretation of any differences between the two bombs, based on these neasurements, is questionable at this time.