Electromagnetic Properties of Detonating Explosives
Abstract
Current theories of reaction processes suggest that changes in electronic band structure and radiation producing dipole oscillations occur during shock loading of an energetic crystal prior to detonation. To test these theories, a broadband antenna, capable of measuring polarization, was employed to observe shock-induced electromagnetic radiation from a crystalline explosive, RDX. The frequency spectra from these experiments were analyzed using time/frequency Fourier methods. Changes in conductivity resulting from this shock loading were also measured at the opposite end of the crystal from the shock source. A four-point-probe arrangement was used to eliminate errors involving lead resistance. This arrangement uses two leads and a fast discharge circuit to pass current through the crystal interface at the time conductivity begins to change in conjunction with the arrival of the shock wave. Two separate leads are used to simultaneously measure the voltage. Voltage and current data are used to construct conductance versus time profiles preceding and during the detonation process. Also reported are corresponding light (observed with a high-speed electronic camera) and microwave emission observed during the passing of the shock wave in the RDX crystal prior to detonation.
- Publication:
-
APS Shock Compression of Condensed Matter Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- June 2001
- Bibcode:
- 2001APS..SHK.M2002C