A Study of Laser Eye Protection by Direct Initiation of Thin Explosive Wafers,
Abstract
A system is described that protects eyes of personnel using optical sighting devices from laser radiation throughout the visible and near IR range. A key element is an explosive-mirror assembly capable of being destroyed by a laser burn beam before it reflects the optically delayed see beam to a viewers eyes; practical optical delays are currently less than 30 ns. An earlier report dealt with first-generation explosive-mirror assemblies. The present report deals with further evaluation and modification of explosives with effort concentrated on PVA lead azide. Explosive wafers as thin as .0025 cm were pressed and confined nest to the mirror with epoxy. Instrumentation permitting 10 to the minus 8th power -s resolution was developed to measure initiation and mirror destruction times. PVA lead azide charges doped with 1 and 2 percent by weight of carbon black destroyed mirrors in as little as 20 ns, wjem omotoated by beams focused to energy densities of 1=or> 10 J/sq.cm. Focusing to this level may be possible with a beam that is at the threshold eye-damaging intensity. Destruction times at focused energy densities of about 1 J/sq. cm. were about 100 ns, but some improvements that may reduce this to the required 30 ns are suggested. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0731780
Entities
People
- R. J. Holland
- Z. G. Sztankay
Organizations
- Harry Diamond Laboratories