On the long-range detection of radioactivity using electromagnetic radiation

A series of recent publications (Tech. Phys. Lett. 19 (1993) 184; Atom. Ener. 80 (1996) 47; Atom. Ener. 80 (1996) 135; Physics–Uspekhi 168 (1998) 515; Izvestiya 28 (1992) 262; Geomagn. Aeron. 34 (1994) 229; J. Atmos. Solar-Terres. Phys. 59 (1997) 961; Stud. Geophs. Geod. 42 (1998) 197; Adv. Space Res. 20 (1997) 2173) has provided experimental evidence that radiation fields can be detected well beyond the 10–100-m limit that holds for conventional (direct) approaches for detecting radiation. The techniques that are claimed to provide this capability use remote electromagnetic interrogation to record changes atmospheric electrostatic parameters arising from elevated radiation levels. This paper examines the physics that underlies these proposed new approaches for detecting radiation. If found to be viable for applications, the proposed techniques would be highly significant as they directly address a variety of problems in national security and environmental monitoring.