Embedded fiber Bragg grating pressure measurement during thermal ignition of a high explosive

• Published in: Applied physics letters Vol. 109; no. 16
• Main Authors: Rodriguez, G., Smilowitz, L., Henson, B. F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melville American Institute of Physics 17-10-2016; American Institute of Physics (AIP)
• Subjects: Applied physics; CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; Diagnostic systems; Exothermic reactions; Organic chemistry; Peak pressure; Pressure measurement; Thermal runaway; Violence
• ISSN: 0003-6951; 1077-3118
• DOI: 10.1063/1.4965842

A high-speed fiber Bragg grating based pressure-only measurement is reported for the high explosive PBXN-9 under thermal initiation conditions. During exothermic thermal runaway, an explosion rise time of 500 μs reaching a peak pressure of 660 MPa is measured. The approach offers a direct measure pressure diagnostic useful for quantifying reaction violence for high explosive chemistry.