Spatiotemporal Evolution of High-Density Surface Plasmas Produced by Prompt X-rays
Abstract
A high-altitude nuclear burst can radiate 70 to 80 percent of its released energy as X-rays. A major effect of prompt cold X-rays to a few microns of satellite surface materials is surface vaporization, ionization, and generation of high-density blow-off plasma. Solar cells are more susceptible to prompt X-rays, since the large surface area is exposed to radiation and cannot be substantially shielded. Implications of X-ray irradiation of solar cells are potentially quite serious. The surface plasmas can couple the solar cells to each other and to dielectric structures causing them to be destroyed. The objective of the proposed research is to explore the physics mechanisms of prompt cold X-ray absorption by metallic and dielectric materials, formation and expansion phases of produced warm dense plasma (WDP), and its physical and electrical properties. We propose to study the fundamental physics of the formation and spatiotemporal evolution of WDPs using the Monte Carlo (MC) and Molecular Dynamics (MD) methods coupled with the Hartree-Fock-Slater (HFS) - Collisional-Radiative Steady-State (CRSS) model. This basic research covering the science of the creation, time evolution, and physical properties of WDPs generated in the cold X-ray radiation environment will improve our understanding of ways to design more survivable solar arrays for satellites.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 16, 2019
- Source ID
- HDTRA11810025
Entities
People
- G. Miloshevsky
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency
- University of Virginia