ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE PROPAGATION CHARACTERISTICS IN A CLOUD OF RADIOACTIVE PARTICLES FROM A NUCLEAR EXPLOSION

摘要

Theoretical computations have been made of the attenuation and refraction which can be expected as a result of 100 to 10,000 megacycle radio wave propagation through the ionized air molecules produced by the radioactivity associated with nominal atomic bomb clouds. Average values of the gamma activity and cloud dimensions taken from unclassified literature for the stabilized cloud condition have been used in these computations. Results show that there would be no serious propagation effects for the above conditions. Ro attempts have been made to study the rapidly changing conditions associated with the fireball. Qualitative estimates are given for the effects which might be produced by heavier nuclear explosions but there is little information on the radioactive output associated with the fusion type bombs.