Susceptibility and Sensitivity of Novel Energetic Materials to Laser Stimulus

Abstract

Laser based initiation, combined with primers using novel, green Metastable Intermolecular Composites (MI Cs) and other energetic compounds may provide a means to increase the overall operational reliability and safety in arms systems. Despite several years of research on laser ignition for secondary explosives and propellants, there is little fundamental information in the literature on laser light interaction with the relevant energetic materials (EM) to drive a self-sustained reaction wave. The goal of the proposed research project is first to provide a review of the relevant literature on laser initiation and the correlation of optical and physical properties of the EMs to ignition characteristics. Using the literature as a guide, a methodology will be developed to study the optical properties of the EM set and experiments will be designed to correlate the physical and optical properties of the thermite and the laser energy characteristics to the ignition behavior.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Oct 06, 2018
Source ID
W911NF1710403

Entities

People

  • Jeffrey Bergthorson

Organizations

  • Army Contracting Command
  • McGill University
  • United States Army

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Engineering
  • Physics

Readers

  • Molecular Photonics/Laser Physics
  • Organizational Process Management (OPM).
  • Rocket Propulsion.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy