TRAPPED RADIATION AND IONOSPHERIC PERTURBATIONS DUE TO AN IMPULSIVE NEUTRON SOURCE
Abstract
Extensive interest has been shown in the geophysical perturbations associated with nuclear testing. Studies of the large scale displays resulting from this type of controlled stimulus may be used to shed light on the details of the mechanisms responsible for naturally occurring geophysical phenomena. Computations based on the neutron decay model postulated by Crain and Tamarkin (1961) have been carried out to evaluate the contribution of the decay products of neutrons emitted from a fission reaction to associated ionospheric disturbances and trapped radiation increases. It is shown that the fission neutron source is useful in explaining the morphology of nuclear-associated VLF effects although the amount of ionization produced promptly in the D-region may be insufficient to account for the magnitude of these effects. Experimental evidence is also advanced to show detection of short-lived trapped radiation from this neutron decay source. The contribution to the long-lived trapped radiation is shown to be negligible.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0403020
Entities
People
- H. R. Willard
- James F. Kenney
Organizations
- Boeing