AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF A PYROTECHNIC LASER PUMP
Abstract
Pyrotechnic compositions consisting of two basic ingredients - fuels and oxidizers - were tested in various combinations. Combinations of pyrotechnic ingredients and high explosives were also examined and high explosives in various configurations were tested. Brightness tests were also conducted with various means of containing and confining materials. Zr/KC104 emerged as the brightest emitter, and the brightness was enhanced by the use of a fixture. The ingredients were varied from stoichiometric to fuel rich combinations, with the stoichiometric ratio giving the constantly highest output on the brightness bench. The temperature arrived at with this combination was about 4900 Kelvin. Some theoretical work was done that shows even higher temperatures can be produced with a fuel such as thorium. Thorium oxide which would be produced, has an even higher stability than the oxides tested.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0420238
Entities
People
- Chester L. Smith
- Paul J. Kisatsky
Organizations
- Picatinny Arsenal