Modulated radiation pulse concept for impairing electrical circuitry
US5608403A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 31, 1995 |
| Grant date | Mar 4, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 31, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R31/002
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electron beam is generated in a packetized form defined by pulses having a duty cycle of less than 1:1000. Each pulse may have a width of approximately one microsecond (1 .mu.sec.) and may be separated by approximately one (1) second from the next pulse. The electrical beam may be accelerated, preferably linearly. The electrical beam may be modulated at a particular frequency (e.g. 3 gigahertz) by bunching the electrons during the beam acceleration. The electrons may be converted to photons (e.g. X-rays) by directing the electron beam to a target made from a suitable material (e.g. tungsten). The photons are then interacted with the electrical circuitry to produce photoelectrons. The photoelectrons impair the operation of the electronic circuitry by generating an electrical current in the electrical circuitry, generating capacitive charges in the circuitry and generating an electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the circuitry. The electrical circuitry may be disposed within an enclosure substantially impervious to the penetration of external electromagnetic fields, but passing energetic photons (x-rays). The enclosure may resonate at the modulating frequency. This invention is…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.