electromagnetic pulse

== English == === Alternative forms === EMP (initialism) === Noun === electromagnetic pulse (plural electromagnetic pulses) A short-duration burst of high-intensity electromagnetic radiation generated by a physical event, in particular by a large thermonuclear explosion in the atmosphere. The pulse causes a damaging surge of voltage within electrical and electronic systems. Compton-recoil electrons and photoelectrons from photons scattered in the materials of a nuclear event causing electric and magnetic fields to couple with electrical and electronic systems to produce damaging current surges. ==== Synonyms ==== ==== Hyponyms ==== ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== References ====