Article
Article
Electromagnetic pulse (EMP)
Article By:
Pfeffer, Robert A. U.S. Army, Nuclear and Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
Last reviewed:August 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.222550
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- Electromagnetic pulse (EMP), published January 2014:Download PDF
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A burst of electromagnetic energy. In a military context—and the subject of this article—an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is a transient electromagnetic signal produced by a nuclear explosion in or above Earth's atmosphere (Fig. 1). Though not considered directly dangerous to people, EMP is a potential threat to many electronic systems. See also: Atomic bomb; Electromagnetism; Electronics; Hydrogen bomb; Nuclear explosion
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