Numerical Simulation of the HEMP Environment

Abstract

This paper develops the program MCHII, numerically simulating the physical process of Compton electron currents scattered by the interaction of γ rays with ambient air molecules radiating the early time electromagnetic pulse (E1) during the high altitude nuclear explosion. The paper discusses the waveform characteristics of the electromagnetic pulse E1 as it propagates toward the ground from beneath the explosion point during the high altitude nuclear explosion, and provides a detailed study with regard to the influence of explosion height, energy, and γ spectrum. Numerical simulations are used to present the waveform characteristics of the electromagnetic pulse after going through the ionized layer above the explosion point after the high altitude nuclear explosion, and the paper presents the distribution of high altitude electromagnetic pulse waveform amplitudes at satellite orbits.