Electromagnetic pulse: Difference between revisions

An '''electromagnetic pulse''' ('''EMP'''), also a '''transient electromagnetic disturbance''' ('''TED'''), is a brief burst of [[electromagnetic]] energy. Depending upon the source, the origin of an EMP can be natural or artificial, and can occur as an [[electromagnetic field]], as an [[electric field]], as a [[magnetic field]], or as a conducted [[electric current]]. The electromagnetic interference caused by an EMP disrupts communications and damages electronic equipment; at higher levels of energy, an EMP, such as a lightning strike can physically damage objects such as buildings and aircraft. The management of EMP effects is a branch of [[electromagnetic compatibility]] (EMC) engineering.

The last two of these, the frequency spectrum and the pulse waveform, are interrelated via the [[Fourier transform]] which describes how component waveforms may sum to the observed frequency spectrum.

 

* [[Electrostatic discharge]] (ESD), as a result of two charged objects coming into close proximity or even contact.  

Non-nuclear electromagnetic pulse (NNEMP) is a weapon-generated electromagnetic pulse without use of nuclear technology. Devices that can achieve this objective include a large low-inductance [[capacitor]] bank discharged into a single-loop antenna, a microwave generator, and an [[explosively pumped flux compression generator]]. To achieve the frequency characteristics of the pulse needed for optimal [[coupling (electronics)|coupling]] into the target, [[Electromagnetic wave|wave]]-shaping circuits or microwave generators are added between the pulse source and the [[Antenna (radio)|antenna]]. [[Vircator]]s are vacuum tubes that are particularly suitable for microwave conversion of high-energy pulses.<ref name="kopp">{{Cite journal |last=Kopp |first=Carlo |author-link=Carlo Kopp |date=October 1996 |title=The Electromagnetic Bomb - A Weapon of Electrical Mass Destruction |url=http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA332511 |journal=USAF CADRE Air Chronicles |id=DTIC:ADA332511 |access-date=12 January 2012}}</ref>

High-level EMP signals can pose a threat to human safety. In such circumstances, direct contact with a live electrical conductor should be avoided. Where this occurs, such as when touching a [[Van de Graaff generator]] or other highly-charged object, care must be taken to release the object and then discharge the body through a high resistance, in order to avoid the risk of a harmful shock pulse when stepping away.

According to research from Edd Gent, a 2019 report by the [[Electric Power Research Institute]], which is funded by utility companies, found that such an attack would probably cause regional blackouts but not a nationwide grid failure and that recovery times would be similar to those of other large-scale outages.<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 2021|author=Edd Gent-Live Science Contributor 11|title=US Air Force is guarding against electromagnetic pulse attacks. Should we worry?|url=https://www.livescience.com/air-force-emp-attacks-protection.html|access-date=2021-05-02|website=livescience.com|language=en}}</ref>

 

According to national security consultant Peter Vincent Pry, if North Korea detonated a nuclear weapon in space over the United States, it would generate EMP field covering the entire country, [[Canada]], and much of [[Mexico]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Security expert warns legislative committee of dangers of EMP attack|url=https://www.carolinajournal.com/news-article/security-expert-warns-legislative-committee-of-dangers-of-emp-attack/|access-date=2021-05-03|website=Carolina Journal|language=en-US}}</ref>

It is possible that neighboring countries of the [[United States|U.S]]. could also be affected by the attack, depending on the targeted area and people.

According to an article from Naureen Malik, with [[North Korea]]'s increasingly successful missile and warhead tests in mind, Congress moved to renew funding for the Commission to Assess the Threat to the [[United States|U.S.]] from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack as part of the [[National Defense Authorization Act]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Can America's Power Grid Survive an Electromagnetic Attack?|url=https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/hardening-power-grids-for-nuclear-and-emp-attacks-by-north-korea|access-date=2021-05-03|website=BloombergQuint|language=en}}</ref> At the moment, the [[United States]] lacks preparation against an EMP attack.{{cn|date=May 2021}}

According to research from Yoshida Reiji, in a 2016 article for the [[Tokyo]]-based nonprofit organization Center for Information and Security Trade Control, Onizuka warned that a high-altitude EMP attack would damage or destroy [[Japan]]'s power, communications and transport systems as well as disable banks, hospitals and [[Nuclear power plant|nuclear power plants]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Yoshida|first=Reiji|date=2017-09-08|title=Threat of North Korean EMP attack leaves Japan vulnerable|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/09/08/national/threat-of-north-korean-emp-attack-leaves-japan-vulnerable/|access-date=2021-05-03|website=The Japan Times|language=en-US}}</ref>

According to research from Martin and Mathew Weiss, in testimony before a [[United States congressional committee|Congressional Committee]], it has been asserted that a prolonged collapse of this nation's electrical grid—through starvation, disease, and [[societal collapse]]—could result in the death of up to 90% of the American population.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Weiss|first1=Matthew|last2=Weiss|first2=Martin|date=2019-05-29|title=An assessment of threats to the American power grid|journal=Energy, Sustainability and Society|volume=9|issue=1|pages=18|doi=10.1186/s13705-019-0199-y|issn=2192-0567|doi-access=free}}</ref>

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