Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Steve Vai on 02/09/2005 13:50:17

Title: EMP Devices
Post by: Steve Vai on 02/09/2005 13:50:17

ive heard of EMP devices that emmit electromagnetic radiation adn can fry electronics, but how? how would you go about building one of these things?

alex

"Turkeys killed my family" - Chip, 02/09/2005, 12:49

Title: Re: EMP Devices
Post by: gsmollin on 02/09/2005 14:07:58

EMP was first observed during near-space tests of nuclear weapons. The x-rays emitted by the nuclear event propagate to the top of the atmosphere where they are absorbed by ionized gas. The gas releases energetic charged particles, and the pulse propagates as an electromagentic pulse wave. It has broadband characteristics, and is very powerful when energized by a nuclear event.

Non-nuclear EMP generators are much weaker, and have relatively narrow band emissions compared to nuclear-powered generators. They all try to explosively compress a source of magnetic flux, then release it suddenly to generate the pulse. Results are mixed, even after years of development; this is not easy to do without nuclear energy.
 
Here is a web page that shows some schematic drawings of EMP weapons:
http://www.abovetopsecret.com/pages/ebomb.html

"F = ma, E = mc^2, and you can't push a string."

Title: Re: EMP Devices
Post by: chip on 02/09/2005 16:35:14

cool, thanks for that

Minerals are fun