Transient Ionization Effects from Primary Gamma Fission Radiation in the Upper Atmosphere.
Abstract
Gamma-radiation transport at deep penetration distances in the atmosphere has been studied as a function of time for a fission gamma unit-impulse source at a 45-km altitude. The Monte Carlo calculation included altitude-dependent air density, curvature of the earth, and Rayleigh scattering and polarization of the photons. Data were obtained on energy, angle, and time distributions for 20 detector positions. The results show a large contribution to Compton ionization production rates at late (about 10 to 100 microseconds) local times due to the arrival of multiply scattered gamma rays. Maintaining an energy cutoff as low as 10 keV has shown a pronounced effect on the total ionization at some detector locations. The results cast some doubt on the validity of previous calculations of gamma-induced atmospheric EMP.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA020812
Entities
People
- John P. Roberts
- John S. Wicklund
Organizations
- Harry Diamond Laboratories