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Quick, reliable estimates of high-power microwave fluences: The SNEAKY-II program

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7272995· OSTI ID:7272995
 [1];  [2]
  1. EG and G Energy Measurements, Inc., Los Alamos, NM (USA)
  2. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)

The propagation of high-power microwave pulses through the atmosphere is often modeled with time-dependent fluid or kinetic codes that require a fine mesh of range and time points. The computational time to run these codes precludes their use to determine the optimum pulse characteristics and propagation paths for delivery of a desired fluence to a specified target. In this work, a universal, parameterized scaling law for microwave-induced air breakdown is integrated into the SNEAKY model to produce a new microwave propagation code, SNEAKY-II. It estimates microwave fluences to within 1%--13% agreement with the more elaborate time-dependent fluid codes while running a hundred to several thousand times faster. The purpose of this report is to document the SNEAKY-II code, complete with benchmarking and specifications of the inherent limitations. 5 refs., 17 figs., 3 tabs.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/MA
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
OSTI ID:
7272995
Report Number(s):
LA-11680-MS; ON: DE90006347
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English