On the Use of Electron Spraying as a Satellite SGEMP Response Simulation Technique

A possible method for generating SGEMP-like surface currents and fields about a satellite-like object has been studied. The method involves spraying electrons from an electron beam machine onto the object so as to reproduce responses which occur under photon illumination. It has been found that by spraying from a particular machine and for a particular geometrical arrangement, it is possible to obtain good reproduction of surface currents produced by photon illumination, even for many cases of severely space charge limited conditions. Electric fields normal to the body are reproduced well at significant distances from emitting or sprayed surfaces, but not so near or on such surfaces. At very low intensities of emitted photon-induced currents where space charge effects are insignificant, all fields and currents can be well-reproduced by spraying, with some electric field sign reversals near emission (or collection) surfaces.