Electromagnetic pulse 1

Electromagnetic pulseAn electromagnetic pulse (EMP), also sometimes called a transient electromagnetic disturbance, is a short burst ofelectromagnetic energy. Such a pulse may occur in the form of a radiated electric or magnetic field or conductedelectrical current depending on the source, and may be natural or man-made. The term "electromagnetic pulse" iscommonly abbreviated to EMP, pronounced by saying the letters separately (E-M-P).EMP interference is generally damaging to electronic equipment, and at higher energy levels a powerful EMP eventsuch as a lightning strike can damage physical objects such as buildings and aircraft structures. The management ofEMP effects is an important branch of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) engineering.The damaging effects of high-energy EMP have been used to create EMP weapons. These are typically divided intonuclear and non-nuclear devices. Such weapons, both real and fictional, have gained traction in popular culture.

General characteristicsAn electromagnetic pulse is a relatively short burst of electromagnetic energy. Its shortness means that it will alwaysbe spread over a range of frequencies. Pulses are typically characterised by:•• The type of energy (radiated, electric, magnetic or conducted).•• The range or spectrum of frequencies present.•• Pulse waveform: shape, duration and amplitude.The last two of these, the frequency spectrum and the pulse waveform, are interrelated via the Fourier transform andmay be seen as two different ways of describing the same pulse.

Types of energyAs with any electromagnetic signal, EMP energy may be transferred in any of four forms:•• Electric field•• Magnetic field•• Electromagnetic radiation•• Electrical conductionIn general, only radiation acts over long distances, with the others acting only over short distances. There are a fewexceptions, such as a solar magnetic flare.

Frequency rangesAn EMP typically contains energy at many frequencies from DC (zero Hz) to some upper limit depending on thesource. The whole range of concern is sometimes referred to as "DC to daylight", with optical (infrared, visible,ultraviolet) and ionizing (X and gamma rays) ranges usually being excluded. The highest frequencies are present inNuclear EMP (NEMP) bursts. These continue up into the optical and ionizing ranges.Some types of EMP event can leave a visible trail, such as lightning and sparks, but these are side effects of thecurrent flow through the air and are not part of the EMP itself.

Electromagnetic pulse 2

Pulse waveformsThe waveform of a pulse describes how its instantaneous amplitude (field strength or current) changes over time.Real pulses tend to be quite complicated, so simplified models are often used. Such a model is typically shown eitheras a diagram or as a mathematical equation.

Rectangular pulse Double exponential pulse Damped sinewave pulse

Most pulses have a very sharp leading edge, building up quickly to their maximum level. The classic model is adouble-exponential curve which climbs steeply, quickly reaches a peak and then decays more slowly. Howeverpulses from a controlled switching circuit often take the form of a rectangular or "square" pulse.In a pulse train, such as from a digital clock circuit, the waveform is repeated at regular intervals.EMP events usually induce a corresponding signal in the victim equipment, due to coupling between the source andvictim. Coupling usually occurs most strongly over a relatively narrow frequency band, leading to a characteristicdamped sine wave signal in the victim. Visually it is shown as a high frequency sine wave growing and decayingwithin the longer-lived envelope of the double-exponential curve. A damped sinewave typically has much lowerenergy and a narrower frequency spread than the original pulse, due to the transfer characteristic of the couplingmode. In practice, EMP test equipment often injects these damped sinewaves directly rather than attempting torecreate the high-energy threat pulses.

EffectsMinor EMP events, and especially pulse trains, cause low levels of electrical noise or interference which can affectthe operation of susceptible devices. For example a common problem in the mid-twentieth century was theinterference emitted by the ignition systems of gasoline engines, which caused radio sets to crackle and TV sets toshow stripes on the screen. Laws had to be introduced to make vehicle manufacturers fit interference suppressors.At a higher level an EMP can induce a spark, for example when fuelling a gasoline-engined vehicle. Such sparkshave been known to cause fuel-air explosions and precautions must be taken to prevent them.A large EMP can induce high currents and voltages in the victim, damaging electrical equipment or disrupting itsfunction.A very large EMP event such as a lightning strike is also capable of damaging objects such as trees, buildings andaircraft directly, either through heating effects or the disruptive effects of the very large magnetic field generated bythe current. An indirect effect can be electrical fires caused by heating. These damaging effects have led to theintroduction of EMP weapons. Most engineered structures and systems require some form of protection againstlightning to be designed in.

Electromagnetic pulse 3

Types of EMPAn EMP arises where the source emits a short-duration pulse of energy. The energy is usually broadband by nature,although it often excites a relatively narrow-band damped sine wave response in the victim. Some types aregenerated as repetitive and regular pulse trains.Types of EMP divide broadly into natural, man-made and weapons effects.Types of natural EMP event include:• Lightning electromagnetic pulse (LEMP). The discharge is typically an initial huge current flow, at least

mega-amps, followed by a train of pulses of decreasing energy.• Electrostatic discharge (ESD), as a result of two charged objects coming into close proximity or even contact.Types of (civilian) man-made EMP event include:•• Switching action of electrical circuitry, whether isolated or repetitive (as a pulse train).• Electric motors can create a train of pulses as the internal electrical contacts rotate.•• Gasoline engine ignition systems can create a train of pulses as the spark plugs are energized.•• Continual switching actions of digital electronic circuitry.• Power line surges. These can be up to several kilovolts, enough to damage electronic equipment that is

insufficiently protected.Types of military EMP include:• Nuclear electromagnetic pulse (NEMP), as a result of a nuclear explosion. A variant of this is the high altitude

nuclear EMP (HEMP), which produces a pulse of a much larger amplitude and different characteristics due tointeractions with the Earth's magnetic field.

•• Non-nuclear electromagnetic pulse (NNEMP) weapons.

LightningLightning is unusual in that it typically has a preliminary "leader" discharge of low energy building up to the mainpulse, which in turn may be followed at intervals by several successively smaller bursts.

Electrostatic discharge (ESD)ESD events are characterised by high voltages of many kV but small currents and sometimes cause visible sparks.ESD is treated as a small, localised phenomenon, although technically a lightning flash is a very large ESD event.ESD can also be man-made, as in the shock received from a Van de Graaff generator.An ESD event can damage electronic circuitry by injecting a high-voltage pulse, besides giving people an unpleasantshock. Such an ESD event can also create sparks, which may in turn ignite fires or fuel-vapour explosions. For thisreason, before refuelling an aircraft or exposing any fuel vapour to the air, the fuel nozzle is first connected to theaircraft to safely discharge any static.

Switching pulsesThe switching action of an electrical circuit creates a sharp change in the flow of electricity. This sharp change is aform of EMP.Simple electrical sources include inductive loads such as relays, solenoids, and the brush contacts in electric motors.Typically these send a pulse of voltage and/or current down any electrical connections present, as well as radiating apulse of energy. The amplitude is usually small and the signal may be treated as "noise" or "interference". Theswitching off or "opening" of a circuit causes an abrupt change in the current flowing. This can in turn cause a largepulse in the electric field across the open contacts, causing arcing and damage. It is often necessary to incorporatedesign features to limit such effects.

Electromagnetic pulse 4

Electronic devices such as valves, transistors and diodes can also switch on and off very fast, causing similar issues.One-off pulses may be caused by solid-state switches and other devices used only occasionally. By contrast themany millions of transistors in a modern computer may switch repeatedly at frequencies above 1 GHz, causinginterference which appears to be continuous.

Nuclear (NEMP) and high altitude nuclear (HEMP)NEMP is the abrupt pulse of electromagnetic radiation resulting from a nuclear explosion. The resulting rapidlychanging electric fields and magnetic fields may couple with electrical/electronic systems to produce damagingcurrent and voltage surges.In military terminology, a nuclear warhead detonated hundreds of kilometres above the Earth's surface is known as ahigh-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) device. Typically the HEMP device produces the EMP as its primarydamage mechanism. The nuclear device does this by producing gamma rays, which in turn are converted into EMPin the mid-stratosphere over a wide area within line of sight to the detonation.NEMP weapons are designed to maximise such effects, especially on electronic systems, and are capable ofdestroying susceptible electronic equipment over a wide area. The popular media often depict such EMP effectsincorrectly, causing misunderstandings among the public and even professionals, and official efforts have been madein the USA to set the record straight.[1] [2]

Non-nuclear electromagnetic pulse (NNEMP)

A National Airborne Operations Center BoeingE-4 on EMP simulator HAGII-C for testing.

USS Estocin (FFG-15) moored near EMPRESS I(antennae at top of image).

Non-nuclear electromagnetic pulse (NNEMP) is a weapon-generatedelectromagnetic pulse without use of nuclear technology. Devices thatcan achieve this objective include a large low-inductance capacitorbank discharged into a single-loop antenna, a microwave generator andan explosively pumped flux compression generator. To achieve thefrequency characteristics of the pulse needed for optimal coupling intothe target, wave-shaping circuits and/or microwave generators areadded between the pulse source and the antenna. Vircators are vacuumtubes that are particularly suitable for microwave conversion ofhigh-energy pulses.

NNEMP generators can be carried as a payload of bombs, cruisemissiles (such as the CHAMP missile) and drones, with diminishedmechanical, thermal and ionizing radiation effects, but without thepolitical consequences of deploying nuclear weapons.

The range of NNEMP weapons (non-nuclear electromagnetic pulsebombs) is much less than nuclear EMP. Nearly all NNEMP devicesused as weapons require chemical explosives as their initial energysource, producing only 10−6 (one millionth) the energy of nuclearexplosives of similar weight.[3] The electromagnetic pulse fromNNEMP weapons must come from within the weapon, while nuclearweapons generate EMP as a secondary effect.[4] These facts limit therange of NNEMP weapons, but allow finer target discrimination. Theeffect of small e-bombs has proven to be sufficient for certain terroristor military operations. Examples of such operations include thedestruction of electronic control systems critical to the operation of many ground vehicles and aircraft.[5]

Electromagnetic pulse 5

The concept of the explosively pumped flux compression generator for generating a non-nuclear electromagneticpulse was conceived as early as 1951 by Andrei Sakharov in the Soviet Union, but nations kept work on non-nuclearEMP classified until similar ideas emerge in other nations.

Electromagnetic formingThe large forces generated by electromagnetic pulses can be used to shape or form objects as part of theirmanufacturing process.

ControlLike any electromagnetic interference, the threat from EMP needs to be controlled. This is true whether the threat isnatural or man-made.Therefore, most control measures focus on the susceptibility of equipment to EMP effects, and hardening orprotecting it from harm. Man-made sources, other than weapons, are also subject to control measures in order tolimit the amount of pulse energy emitted.The discipline of ensuring correct equipment operation in the presence of EMP and other RF threats is known aselectromagnetic compatibility (EMC).

Test simulationTo test the effects of EMP on engineered systems and equipment, an EMP simulator may be used.A small-scale ESD simulator may be hand-held.At the other end of the scale, large outdoor test facilities incorporating high-energy EMP simulators have been builtin the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland andItaly. The largest facilities are able to test whole vehicles including ships and aircraft for their susceptibility to EMP.Information about the EMP simulators used by the United States during the latter part of the Cold War, along withmore general information about electromagnetic pulse, is now in papers under the care of the SUMMA Foundation,which is hosted at the University of New Mexico.The SUMMA [6] Foundation web site documents the huge wooden ATLAS-I simulator (better known as TRESTLE,or "The Sandia Trestle") at Sandia National Labs, New Mexico, which was the world's largest EMP simulator.[7] Nearly all of these large EMP simulators used a specialized version of a Marx generator.[][] The SUMMAFoundation offers a short documentary on its web site called TRESTLE: Landmark of the Cold War.[8]

The US Navy also has a facility called the Electro Magnetic Pulse Radiation Environmental Simulator for Ships I(EMPRESS I).

EMP in fiction and popular cultureLightning has long been used as a dramatic device in popular fiction. In some tellings of the Frankenstein story, themonster is animated by a lightning strike.References to EMP weapons in popular fiction go back at least to 1965, however EMP did not gain a significantpresence until the mid 1980s.The popular media often depict EMP effects incorrectly, causing misunderstandings among the public and evenprofessionals, and official efforts have been made in the USA to set the record straight.[9] [10]

Electromagnetic pulse 6

References[1] Report Meta-R-320: " The Early-Time (E1) High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) and Its Impact on the U.S. Power Grid (http:/ /

www. ornl. gov/ sci/ ees/ etsd/ pes/ pubs/ ferc_Meta-R-320. pdf)" January 2010. Written by Metatech Corporation for Oak Ridge NationalLaboratory. Appendix: E1 HEMP Myths

[2] 2009 Telly Award Winners, (Manitou Motion Picture Company, Ltd.) (http:/ / www. tellyawards. com/ winners/ list/ ?l=M&pageNum_winners=2& totalRows_winners=453& event=10& category=) The U.S. Space Command video is not available to the generalpublic.

[3] Glasstone & Dolan 1977, Chapter 1.[4] Glasstone & Dolan 1977, Chapter 11, section 11.73.[5] Marks, Paul " Aircraft could be brought down by DIY 'E-bombs' (http:/ / www. newscientist. com/ article/ mg20227026.

200-aircraft-could-be-brought-down-by-diy-ebombs. html)" New Scientist, 1 April 2009, pp. 16–17[6] http:/ / www. ece. unm. edu/ summa/[7] Reuben, Charles, The Atlas-I Trestle at Kirtland Air Force Base (http:/ / www. ece. unm. edu/ summa/ notes/ trestle. html) The University of

New Mexico[8] TRESTLE: Landmark of the Cold War (Documentary Movie) (http:/ / www. ece. unm. edu/ summa/ notes/ trestle_movie. html)[9] Report Meta-R-320: " The Early-Time (E1) High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) and Its Impact on the U.S. Power Grid (http:/ /

www. ornl. gov/ sci/ ees/ etsd/ pes/ pubs/ ferc_Meta-R-320. pdf)" January 2010. Written by Metatech Corporation for Oak Ridge NationalLaboratory. Appendix: E1 HEMP Myths

[10] 2009 Telly Award Winners, (Manitou Motion Picture Company, Ltd.) (http:/ / www. tellyawards. com/ winners/ list/ ?l=M&pageNum_winners=2& totalRows_winners=453& event=10& category=) The U.S. Space Command video is not available to the generalpublic.

Sources• Glasstone, Samuel; Dolan, Philip J. (1977). The Effects of Nuclear Weapons (http:/ / www. fourmilab. ch/ etexts/

www/ effects/ ). United States Department of Defense and the Energy Research and Development Administration.

Article Sources and Contributors 7

Article Sources and ContributorsElectromagnetic pulse  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=604245288  Contributors: Abdul Rauf Liaqat, Acsteitz, CopSuscept, Darkness Shines, Dl2000, Edaz91, Faizan,Flyer22, Fraggle81, Gilliam, Guyface1, Hhhippo, Jesant13, Julesd, K6ka, KVDP, Legoguy8900, Lfstevens, Mark Arsten, Markos Strofyllas, Martarius, Materialscientist, Mbarland, Mmeijeri,Nick Levine, Phehart2, Philip Trueman, Pinethicket, Projanen, Pwjb, Reatlas, Sjö, Snow Blizzard, Steelpillow, Surv1v4l1st, SydykovAybek, Takeaway, TheDJ, Tommyhoefler, X5dna, 41anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and ContributorsFile:rectangular pulse.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Rectangular_pulse.svg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: Chenspec,SteelpillowFile:double exponential.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Double_exponential.svg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: Chenspec,SteelpillowFile:damped sinewave.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Damped_sinewave.svg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: SteelpillowFile:E-4 advanced airborne command post EMP sim.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:E-4_advanced_airborne_command_post_EMP_sim.jpg  License: unknown Contributors: Camera Operator: SGT. ERNIE STONEFile:USS Estocin FFG-15 moored near EMPRESS I.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:USS_Estocin_FFG-15_moored_near_EMPRESS_I.jpg  License: unknown Contributors: Service Depicted: Navy

LicenseCreative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0//creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/