Modeling the Effects of the Interstellar Medium on Engineered Signals of Extraterrestrial Origin

Dr. Blair will discuss the impairments that can be imposed on signals of technological origin traveling through the interstellar medium (ISM). The ISM contains ionized regions where fluctuations in the electron density have a significant effect on signals propagating through the medium. Techniques developed by pulsar researchers over the last 2-3 decades were used to characterize the impact of these effects on engineered as opposed to natural signals like pulsars, and in particular, seek insights into the types of signals to expect based on their susceptibility to ISM propagation impairments.