Nuclear Weapons in the Twenty-First Century

Special Physics Colloquium presented by the Department of Physics and Astronomy Colloquium: Stephen M. Younger, National Security Technologies, LLC and University of Hawai’i at Manoa, to speak on "Nuclear Weapons in the Twenty-First Century."

Abstract:
For over six decades, nuclear weapons were designed to deter large scale aggression, guaranteeing any potential adversary swift and sure destruction. What is the role of nuclear weapons, if any, in future international security? Can advanced conventional weapons replace nuclear weapons in the strategic equation? How will the inexorable spread of science and technology affect the proliferation of nuclear weapons to more nation states and perhaps even to sub-state groups? What are the technical challenges in maintaining a nuclear arsenal in the absence of nuclear testing? Finally, what are the challenges associated with the complete elimination of nuclear weapons? This talk will give a brief history of nuclear weapons and will discuss several options for their future.

Short Biography:
Stephen M. Younger served as Director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and as Associate Director for Nuclear Weapons at Los Alamos. During his career he designed and tested several new classes of nuclear explosives and he continues to serve on several government panels concerned with the future of nuclear weapons. He received a B.A. in physics from the Catholic University of America and a M.S. and PhD in physics from the University of Maryland. He currently holds an appointment at the University of Hawai’i Manoa, where he performs research on the computer simulation of small societies.

Ticket Information
Free

Event Sponsor
Physics and Astronomy, Manoa

More Information
John G. Learned, 956-2964, jgl@phys.hawaii.edu

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