Ionospheric measurements for the Non-Proliferation Experiment

Conference · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994

OSTI ID:10151216

Fitzgerald, T J

The detection of explosions using ionospheric techniques relies on measuring perturbations induced in radio propagation by acoustics waves which disturb the electron density of the ionosphere. Such techniques have been applied to the detection of atmospheric explosions, underground nuclear tests, earthquakes, and surface mining explosions. The nighttime ionosphere presents a difficulty for the detection of explosions because in the absence of solar ionization radiation the electron density in the altitude range of 90 to 200 km decays after sunset and perturbation effects are correspondingly reduced. On the other hand, acoustic waves produced by weak sources reach a maximum amplitude in the altitude range of 100 to 150 km and are highly attenuated at altitudes above 200 km. For safety reasons, most planned explosions are conducted during daylight which has limited the experimental measurements during nighttime. However a recent opportunity for a nighttime measurement occurred in connection with the Non-Proliferation Experiment which consisted of the detonation of a large chemical charge underground at the Nevada Test Site near midnight local time. the results, based on a new technique of using medium frequency radio transmissions provided by commercial broadcasts to detect explosion effects, were negative. The most likely explanation for the negative result is that the radio transmissions did not reflect at a low enough altitude to sense the perturbations produced by the acoustic waves.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 10151216
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--94-1224; CONF-9404100--3; ON: DE94011659
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

350300
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450300
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ATMOSPHERIC EXPLOSIONS
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIONS
EARTHQUAKES
ELECTRON DENSITY
GRAVITY WAVES
IONOSPHERE
IONOSPHERIC EFFECTS
MEASURING METHODS
NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY
NUCLEAR EXPLOSION DETECTION
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SOUND WAVES
UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS
VERIFICATION
WAVE PROPAGATION