A Program to Study the Detection of Target Hits by Directed Energy Weapons.
Abstract
This is the final report on a study of the detection, using X-ray emission signatures, of target hits by netural particle beam directed energy weapons. We find that the energy deposition needed for a detectable signature is a small fraction of that required for lethality. This result causes optimism about the feasibility of X-ray hit detection. Two potential obstacles up to detection were considered: The naturally occurring background and absorption by the residual atmosphere. Spectral discrimination can solve the background problem. The emitted spectrum contains characteristic X-rays, especially K-lines. For metallic targets, the background is small at the characteristic wavelength. The background contribution can be suppressed by narrowing the bandpass. Absorption by the residual atmosphere is negligible above 200 km altitude. At lower altitudes, attentuation is unimportant for nickel or steel targets, but significant for materials with longer wavelength K-lines. The ranges of beam/detector parameter values over which detection is possible are presented. The next steps should be implementation studies. Large area detectors with spectral discrimination are needed. Collecting optics using synthetic multilayer structures are a promising approach. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA117711
Entities
People
- J. K. Silk