Simulation of a Uranium Vapor Release in the High Altitude Atmosphere.

Abstract

The authors present simulation results for a large uranium gas release in the ionosphere at an altitude of 200 km. The purpose of such an experimental release would be to study infrared emission line strengths and spectra of uranium oxides after a nuclear explosion. The simulation shows that the release would have high ion densities approximately 10 to the 8th power 3/cm, that it would have a radius of about half a kilometer perpendicular to the geomagnetic field, and that it would spread to a few kilometers along the field. They also demonstrate the complete oxidation of U to U02(+) would require tens of seconds.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 22, 1983
Accession Number
ADA136031

Entities

People

  • E. Hyman
  • J. Fedder
  • K. Hain

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Altitude
  • Ceramic Materials
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Diffusion Coefficient
  • Equations
  • Explosions
  • High Altitude
  • Ion Density
  • Ions
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Nuclear Explosions
  • Oxidation
  • Oxides
  • Radiation
  • Security
  • Simulations

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Nuclear Non-Proliferation and International Security