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Electro-Magnetic Pulses Electromagnetic pulses are another danger to semiconductor devices. Many processes can create electromagnetic pulses, including detonating a nuclear device in the upper atmosphere. This weapon could be used to disable an enemy’s communications infrastructure. An electromagnetic pulse is created because in the upper atmosphere, the density of matter is very low. Thus, instead of the energy from a nuclear detonation being converted to mechanical energy, it is maintained as electromagnetic energy. This creates a high-energy stream of particles that bombard electronic materials when they reach the surface of the earth. [Goldeneye Example of an EMP] [9.1MB mov] The popular film Goldeneye shows drastic effects from an electromagnetic pulse on electronic equipment and the possibility of a system (in this case a helicopter) immune to damage from radiation. References: See Bibliography reference 3. |