Investigation of RF Radiation as a Secondary Phenomenon for Use in Checkout
Report Number: AFAPL TR 65-46
Author(s): Ballard, James W., Horn, Eugene F.
Corporate Author(s): Systems Research Laboratories, Inc.
Laboratory: Air Force Aero Propulsion Laboratory
Date of Publication: 1965-06
Pages: 105
Contract: AF 33(615)-1489
DoD Project: 8119
DoD Task: 811925
Identifier: AD0619899
Abstract:
The emission of radio-frequency (rf) radiation was studied over a range of frequencies from .15 to 400 megacycles per second (Mc/sec) for small gaps of .5 to 10 mils. The electrodes were .050-inch in diameter with polished plane ends which formed the gap. Most of the work reported was done in air at atmospheric pressure with nickel electrodes although argon gas and gold, aluminum, and copper electrodes were employed. Considerable attention was given to shielding, and the effect of receiver and generator circuitry. The effect of antennas and cables were also studied in relation to rf radiation emission and reception. Radiation from malfunctioning systems is attributed to a brush type discharge across very small discontinuities within the electrical parts. These discontinutities in a number of cases were found to be essentially contact, i.e. less than a few thousand angstroms. The mechanism causing breakdown was found to be the avalanche type with the involvement of secondary electronic emission.
Provenance: Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control
Author(s): Ballard, James W., Horn, Eugene F.
Corporate Author(s): Systems Research Laboratories, Inc.
Laboratory: Air Force Aero Propulsion Laboratory
Date of Publication: 1965-06
Pages: 105
Contract: AF 33(615)-1489
DoD Project: 8119
DoD Task: 811925
Identifier: AD0619899
Abstract:
The emission of radio-frequency (rf) radiation was studied over a range of frequencies from .15 to 400 megacycles per second (Mc/sec) for small gaps of .5 to 10 mils. The electrodes were .050-inch in diameter with polished plane ends which formed the gap. Most of the work reported was done in air at atmospheric pressure with nickel electrodes although argon gas and gold, aluminum, and copper electrodes were employed. Considerable attention was given to shielding, and the effect of receiver and generator circuitry. The effect of antennas and cables were also studied in relation to rf radiation emission and reception. Radiation from malfunctioning systems is attributed to a brush type discharge across very small discontinuities within the electrical parts. These discontinutities in a number of cases were found to be essentially contact, i.e. less than a few thousand angstroms. The mechanism causing breakdown was found to be the avalanche type with the involvement of secondary electronic emission.
Provenance: Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control