Signal Corps Studies of Nuclear Radiation Effects on Electronic Components and Materials

The U. S. Army Signal Research and Development Laboratory has long been interested in the effects of nuclear radiation on electronic components and materials. An historical account of USASRDL participation in earlier weapons tests is presented along with more recent efforts toward the evaluation of component operation during a burst of nuclear radiation using various pulsed reactor facilities. The radiation effects on some present-day components is briefly described, and possible directions of future efforts to develop radiation-resistant components and equipment are proposed.