Electron beam/atmosphere interaction

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    Electron Interaction
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interaction of electron beams with the atmosphere, particularly focusing on their range, energy loss, and potential military applications. Participants explore the feasibility of using electron beams as weapons and their effectiveness compared to other technologies.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how far an electron beam would travel in the atmosphere before losing kinetic energy or bonding with air molecules.
  • Another participant cites that the electron mean free path in air is approximately 10^{-6} m for low energy electrons, suggesting limited effectiveness as a weapon.
  • There is speculation about the military research into electron beams, with one participant noting that the MEDUSA system uses microwave pulses rather than electron beams.
  • A participant mentions that high-energy electrons would be necessary for a serious electron beam weapon, as low-energy electrons do not travel far in the atmosphere.
  • One participant suggests that electron beams could be effective in a vacuum, particularly against targets with sensitive electronics.
  • Questions arise about the potential use of this technology for completing electrical circuits at a distance or for detonating IEDs, with mixed opinions on feasibility.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of electron beams as weapons, particularly in atmospheric conditions versus vacuum. There is no consensus on the potential applications for IED detonation or circuit completion.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations regarding the energy levels of electrons and their interaction with air, as well as the need for high vacuum conditions for certain experiments. The discussion includes assumptions about the capabilities of various technologies without resolving these uncertainties.

msquared
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Hello,

This is something that's puzzled me for a while, but I haven't been able to find any conclusive answers anywhere. What I'm wondering is, how far would an electron beam (such as that found in a TV) travel in the atmosphere before it lost its kinetic energy or bonded with the air molecules?

I've heard about particle beam weapons being researched for anti-missile applications and such, so that makes me think it could potentially go quite a ways...any answers or even suggestions as to where I could look would be greatly appreciated!
 
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The electron mean free path in air is of the order of 10^{-6} m for an energy of the order of 10's of eV. It doesn't make a very good weapon, I would think.

Zz.
 
Thanks for the quick reply, that's exactly what I was looking for!

Makes me wonder why they're researching them for military applications (for example, Medusa) though.
 
msquared said:
Makes me wonder why they're researching them for military applications (for example, Medusa) though.
MEDUSA uses a beam of microwave pulses, not electrons. To make any kind of a serious electron beam weapon, you'd have to accelerate the electrons to very high energy.

As Zz stated, low energy electrons (10's of eV) won't get very far in the atmosphere. I used to do electron scattering experiments at those energies--those experiments had to be done in a high vacuum chamber.
 
Ah ok, thanks for clearing that up for me.
 
I think that most of the research into electron beams as anti-missile weapons were assuming the interception of ICBM's outside the atmosphere by an orbiting weapons platform. Electron beams make fairly decent weapons in a vacuum, especially against a target with sensitive electronics on board.
 
Can this technology be used to complete an electrical circiut between conductors at any distance? Develop to detonate IED?
 
averagejoe11 said:
Can this technology be used to complete an electrical circiut between conductors at any distance? Develop to detonate IED?

It would not complete a circuit unless it melts something and causes a short. Whether this is possible using microwaves I am unsure. (which is what I'm assuming your referring to, as an electron beam would be stopped by a few mm's of ground) If the electronics are shielded, which isn't hard, then I don't think so.
Although if it could be used as an IED detonator or minesweeper it would be pretty cool.
 

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