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WHAT ARE ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE DEVICES?

What are Electromagnetic Pulse Devices?

Kristof C Siska

Math and Science Academy of Ocean Lakes High School

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WHAT ARE ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE DEVICES?
Introduction

The field of Electronics is a fascinating and rapidly growing discipline that is truly

responsible for the shaping of todays society. All around, there are dozens of devices that all

utilize electricity to make life easier for humans. Whether it is a microwave or a computer, they

all have one thing in common, they all run on Integrated Circuit Chips.

IC Chips are revolutionary solutions that scale down complex circuitry into smaller

packages. While they save space, production and material costs, their downside is how fragile

and susceptible they are to influx of high voltage. Since the modern world is so reliant on

electronic devices, its downfall ultimately lies in the destruction of technology that defines it.

Electromagnetic Pulsers are complex devices that are designed to exploit the one weakness of IC

Chips by overflowing them with higher voltage than they operate on. Understanding how they

work, how they can be used, and how to defend from them should be a priority for everyone

relying on electronics in their daily lives.

Especially today, the increasing level of terrorism, violence and global conflict demands

that the public becomes more educated on how the appliances that make life easier work, and

how they can be protected and maintained. By learning about EMPs, the public can not only

educate themselves on these destructive devices, but also on the basics of electronics that they

rely on in case they get compromised due to terror attacks. Applications of EMPs also concern

the U.S. military as the enemies of this great nation have been increasingly reliant on technology

to keep up the fight against the U.S. Armed Forces. Though they most likely already have EMP

systems installed, it is still a growing topic that has the attention of the United States

Government.
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To give in an insight on how Electromagnetic Pulsers work, I will dive into the basics of

electromagnets, magnetic waves, the construction of a pulser and how it affects electronic

devices.

Previous Knowledge

Before starting my research on Electromagnetic Pulse devices, I had extensive knowledge

on the basics of electronics through my Electronics Systems 1 and 2 class. From learning about

the components of electricity to building complex circuitry, my electronics instructors have

taught me everything the course had to offer. Out of all the subunits present in Electronics

Systems, I excelled the most in building and using Integrated Circuit Chips. Throughout my

learning experience I learned all about the design, manufacturing and function of IC Chips, but

something was missing from my education, something that wasnt covered by the book. After

much pondering, the question became not how IC Chips work, but instead how to make them

not work. That question was the first step away from the baseline standard that the electronics

class learned and the first step toward my iSearch.

With some digging around I came across the solution to my dilemma: The

Electromagnetic Pulse Generator. It is a device that uses an electromagnet to generate magnetic

fields that destroy the inner workings of electronic components, typically IC Chips. From my

technology class and the book Introduction to Electronics, I had a limited understanding of

magnets, magnetic fields, lines of flux etc. But the level of knowledge required to understand

what an EMP is just wasnt available to me in the classroom. I had to dig deeper to grasp the full

understanding of this fascinating gadget. After some questions to my electronics teacher, I

settled on five important questions that need to be answered to fathom the concept of the EMP.
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The first of these is, what are electromagnets?. The second is, what are electromagnetic

waves?. The third is how do electromagnetic waves affect electronic devices?. The fourth is,

what is an EMP as far as construction and purpose?. Finally, the fifth concept to master is,

how do EMPs affect electronic devices?. When looked at these questions more closely, it can

be easily pieced together they will fit with each other like the pieces of a puzzle.

The Search

Shortly after identifying the key concepts that needed discovery, I immediately got to

work with my Introduction to Electronics textbook. Though it wasnt my only source, it

contained a lot of great information on the first few questions that I had about my topic. As I

flipped through the pages of my book I found simple yet meaningful explanations to my first

question, What are electromagnets?. According to Gates, An electromagnet is composed of

many turns of wire close together (101). That is simple enough, but with each answer a new

question rises. In my case, it was, Is that it?. In short no, there is much more to an

electromagnet than that. For starters, electromagnets are designed to imitate naturally occurring

magnets, with the exception that they can be turned on and off. Gates explains, When current

flows through a wire, it generates a magnetic field around the wire (99). Once the current is

taken away from the wire, the field collapses. By default, a couple of tight rolls of wire will not

produce a meaningful magnetic field. To increase its strength for the purposes of an

electromagnetic pulser it must be greatly amplified through a few methods. Gates (2007) says

the following on electromagnet strength:

The more turns of wire, the more flux lines are added together. Also, the greater the

current, the greater the number of flux lines are added together. Also, the greater the
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current, the greater the number of flux lines generated. The strength of the magnetic

field, then, is directly proportional to the number of turns in the coil and the amount of

current flowing through it (p. 101).

In summary, the more electricity and the more turns of wire, the stronger the magnetic field will

be. Though a wire can only be turned so many times, voltage can be increased endlessly making

it the ultimate decider on how strong an electromagnet is. Electromagnets are simply coils of

wire that behave like magnets when current is put through them. The next question then is what

are electromagnetic fields?

Finding information on what electromagnetic waves are was just as easy as researching

what electromagnets themselves were. Essentially, all principles applying to normal magnets are

the one and the same as with electromagnets. Once current is applied to a piece or coil of wire, a

magnetic field is created instantaneously which resembles that of the Earth. The location of the

South pole is where the negative end of

the power supply connects while the

North pole is where positive lead meets

the coil. The lines connecting from

pole to pole are called lines of flux and

carry the strength and effect of the

field. The more lines of flux there are

the stronger the field is. How to get

more lines of flux has been covered in

the first question of what electromagnets are. Some of the properties that electromagnetic waves

have include: attracting metallic objects, repelling metallic objects, interfering with radio waves
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and most importantly inducing current in electronic devices. This property is the third concept

that I had to discover in pursuit of uncovering the wisdom regarding EMPs.

After learning about electromagnets and their magnetic fields, the next step to get to a

pulser is understanding how magnetic waves affect electronic devices. The principle of

Electromagnetic Induction is the term to look for in this case. Gates (2007) elaborates:

Electromagnetic induction is the principle behind the generation of electricity: When a

conductor passed or is passed by a magnetic field, a current is produced (induced) in the

conductor. As the conductor passes through the magnetic field, free electrons are forced

to one end of the conductor, leaving a deficiency of electrons at the other end (p. 102).

In this explanation, a conductor is any material capable of conducting electricity. Such items

include: metals, human beings, water, and most importantly IC Chips (they are made mostly of

copper and silicone). When these objects are passed through electromagnetic fields of great

power, the deficiency of electrons- more commonly referred to as potential or electricity- is

picked up and transmitted into whatever entered the lines of flux. This is where IC Chips come

into play. Every IC Chip is designed to run at a certain current or voltage which is specified by

the manufacturer. This maximum voltage value cannot be exceeded by any quantity or else the

chip will burn up due to the transistors, diodes and the switches not being able to handle the

increased voltages. Since the excess current cannot be

properly handled, it exists as heat, quickly burning up

the housing and the structure of the components found

inside. The result is an IC Chip looking like a

functioning one, but having some visual damage on

the outside. The inside however, is melted goo. Electromagnetic induction has the same effect
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on IC Chips as accidently overclocking them with higher voltage than specified by the

manufacturer. Once a chip enters the range of the electromagnetic field, it picks up potential

from the lines flux. This potential is almost always enough to begin overheating the components

inside. Depending on the strength of the magnetic field, and the counter measures built into the

circuit, it can take anywhere from a few seconds to a minute before a chip gets destroyed

completely.

At this point, the groundwork has been laid down for understanding how an EMP works.

After acquiring this information, I finally understood the concept of remote inductance and how

electromagnets achieve that. As far as difficulty for finding all this information, I was very

pleased to note that I didnt even break a sweat thanks to the phenomenally written Introduction

to Electronics textbook. Once the basics have been covered, my interview and some online

sources were essential to continuing my quest of research.

The fourth concept that I considered was the structure of an EMP. While researching this

topic, almost all my information came from my interview with Mr. Shane Mann. So far I

looked at electromagnets, one of the essential parts to an EMP; however, there are many other

components on the list. Asides from an electromagnet, a high voltage generator is also required

to construct an EMP. As stated in question one, the higher the current applied to an

electromagnet, the more lines flux will be produced by the magnet. This in turn will generate a

much more intense and powerful field that has not only a

larger range but also a larger voltage that it induces.

As a standard 9V battery will not achieve that goal, a

high voltage generator must be installed in an EMP device.

Though there is not a set component that can be called The

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High Voltage Generator, there are many components that fall into this category. The only

specification is that it takes a set voltage and significantly increases it. The packages that this

can come in include professionally manufactured tubes or bricks with input and output leads on

either side to step-up generators broken out of old film cameras. Regardless of the package, if

the generator can amplify 9V to 2000V or more, it is adequate for the construction of an EMP

(Mann S. Personal Interview).

Once a high voltage generator is hooked up to a power source, typically a 9V battery, the

next component needed is a spark gap. In theory, this piece of the circuit is not as much of a

component as it is a design element applied to how the wires connect in the circuit. A spark gap

by definition is, A gap in an otherwise complete electric circuit across which a discharge occurs

at a prescribed voltage (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 2016). With

that in mind, the spark gap simply jumps high voltages current from wire to another. Though the

wires through which the spark gap jumps through can be simply connected to allow for a more

efficient conductance, the spark gap has special purpose in an EMP, its a reset. After high

voltage current is generated form a 9V battery, it is then sent to the spark. The spark gap will

jump the current momentarily back to the high voltage generator, thus resetting it. Before it does

that however; it sends its current into the next component, a high voltage capacitor (Mann S.

Personal Interview).

A high voltage capacitor is simply a capacitor rated for high voltages. They also come in

many shapes and sizes, but the two-main distinction is the material they are made of. On one

hand, there are electrolytic capacitors that are polarized, and on the other there are ceramic

capacitors that arent polarized. For an Electromagnetic Pulse Generator, a ceramic capacitor is

required as it doesnt get interference form the electromagnetic field. The job of a capacitor is to
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build up voltage, then release it into the circuit once a threshold has been reached. In the case of

an EMP, it builds up the high voltage to even higher levels- typically 10KV- then releases it into

the electromagnet. In turn, the electromagnet produces an immense electromagnetic field that

also collapses instantaneously due to the spark gap resetting the power source. After each

activation of the electromagnet, the capacitor rebuilds its current, then releases it back into the

magnet hundreds of times a second. The end product is a rapid cracking sound of the spark gap,

and an endless supply of electromagnetic waves. (Mann S. Personal Interview).

The final question remains now, How does the EMP effect electronics devices?. This

is where all the research comes into conclusion. Due to electromagnetic waves inducing current

in IC Chips, thus frying them, EMPs also fry IC Chips and any electronics device that is made of

conductive materials. The electromagnetic waves generated by thousands of volts of current

cause rapid increase in heat and voltage contained in circuits nearby, and cause irreversible

damage on a wide scale. The activation of such device can render multiple objects useless,

whether its two microwaves or a room full of cell phones. The only limit is how strong the

power source is. While ten thousand volts will only have an active radius of ten feet, a million

volts can affect entire buildings.

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Results

As a result of my extensive research, I became more familiar with how an electromagnetic pulser

works and what are its properties. Since realizing that IC Chips are fragile and that there is a lot

to explore on how to destroy them, learning more about EMPs have become a personal interest

of mine. I have designed many alternatives to generating high voltages rather then purchasing

pre-made components and I also put a lot of time into designing and planning the logistics of

construction a smaller scaled device on my own. This assignment has fulfilled the personal

interest of mine to gain a deeper understanding of EMPs. The collection of information

regarding these devices is something that I consider a great resource for those who would like

learn more about them. Based on their function as covered by the paper, the only possible way

to prevent the damage the electromagnetic pulses cause is by installing large diodes that can

filter and restrict the amount of voltage going through a circuit. That would be done to keep

voltage at functioning levels. Since EMPs on large scale are illegal, they arent something that

the average person will come across. Installing large diodes in phones, computers, microwaves

etc. would prove to be expensive, time consuming and impractical unfortunately. It is a good

thing that they arent as common as say cell phones. Another, less cumbersome solution would

be the use electrostatic bags that can block out electromagnetic waves. Their size is much

smaller and they are less expensive. Their only down side is that only portable and otherwise

smaller devices can be protected while they cant be accessed or used. Throughout my research

there were no speedbumps whatsoever. My interview went exceptionally well, the resources that

I had available were outstanding and overall it was very easy to complete my studies. In the

span of a week, I was able to read through my textbook, get my interview and use additional

sources as needed to fill in the blanks. Overall it was an excellent learning experience.
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Whats Next?

After learning about Electromagnetic Pulse Generators, there are a few areas of interest

that I can take my studies to. The first of these would be making more efficient and portable

EMPs that can be used be law enforcement or the military. That project would be at the

magnitude if not larger than a Senior Project. Another field that my research can be taken to is

developing ways to fend off EMP attack. Though there are known ways to achieve that, the

solutions are often too expensive or too large to be practical for everyday use. Finding more

efficient and smaller ways to block of electromagnetic discharges is one way to make good use

of my acquired knowledge. A third area of interest would be working with Tesla coils and trying

to recover the knowledge Nikola Tesla attained. As EMPs can be made using Tesla Coils, and

their function is nearly identical to such coils my studies can be put forth developing ways to

direct electricity into specific or all devices near allow them to function without connection to a

power outlet. The fourth field of study that I would consider is the construction of Magnetic

Accelerators as they also utilize the turning on and off high voltage electromagnets. The last

field of study
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References

Gates, E. D. (2012). Introduction to electronics. Australia: Delmar Cengage Learning.

Mann, S (2017/6/1) Personal Interview.

Spark gap. (n.d.). Retrieved June 11, 2017, from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/spark gap

The Electronics Systems I and II Class

Pictures

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