Propagation of Electromagnetic Beams in a HANE (High Altitude Nuclear Explosion) Environment: A Preliminary Study of Refraction Effects
Abstract
Results are presented for the deflection of 1 micron, 10 micron; and 1 cm radiation propagating through an ionospheric nuclear environment. First derive a relatively simple expression for the deflection of an electromagnetic beam as it passes through a number of nuclear striations. Then develop a nuclear striation model which assumes that the striations are aligned with the Earth's magnetic field, and uses a distribution of transverse scale sizes based upon observational data from the Checkmate event. The 1 micron and 10 micron radiation is relatively unaffected by the nuclear environment, i.e., the deflection of the beam should not adversely impact SDI systems. On the other hand, 1 cm radiation is strongly refracted by the nuclear striations and SDI systems based upon microwaves are likely to be severely degraded in a nuclear environment. A suggested mitigation technique is to propagate the radiation perpendicular to the geomagnetic field.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 24, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA203898
Entities
People
- Joseph D. Huba
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory