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U.S. Department of Energy
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Predictions of effects produced by the DICE THROW detonation on experimental microwave links. Topical report 1 January--30 September 1976

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7091293
The dust clouds produced by near-surface nuclear detonations and large-yield HE simulations of these were studied in order to produce predictions of phase and amplitude fluctuations of microwave signals that transit through these clouds. Quantitative predictions are made based on theoretical predictions of the dust cloud that is expected to be produced by the 600-ton ANFO high-explosive test code-named DICE THROW. These predictions are made for the paths and frequencies that will be used in as experimental probing by microwave links of the DICE THROW dust cloud. A photographic comparison of HE and nuclear detonations is also given in order to determine the detonation altitude of a nuclear device that will be best simulated by the DICE THROW test. It is concluded that crater ejecta will dominate the DICE THROW dust cloud generation. The dust cloud geometry probably will best simulate that produced by a kiloton nuclear device buried more than several but less than (approximately) 15 feet (5 meters). Calculations, based on a particle size distribution that contains some large particles thought to be appropriate to ejecta clouds, show attenuation perhaps reaching 10 dB at X band (10,188 MHz) on some paths within the first one second following detonation. The attenuation is expected to decrease and be insignificant by approximately 10 seconds due to the fallout of large particles.
Research Organization:
Stanford Research Inst., Menlo Park, CA (USA)
OSTI ID:
7091293
Report Number(s):
AD-A-040907
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English