Laser Ignition of Energetic Materials -- Contents -- About the Authors -- Preface -- Acknowledgements -- 1 Historical Background -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 The Gunpowder Era -- 1.3 Cannons, Muskets and Rockets -- 1.3.1 Musketry -- 1.3.2 Rocketry -- 1.4 Explosive Warheads -- 1.5 Explosives Science -- Bibliography -- 2 Review of Laser Initiation -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 Initiation Processes -- 2.3 Initiation by Direct Laser Irradiation -- 2.3.1 Laser Power -- 2.3.2 Laser Pulse Duration -- 2.3.3 Absorbing Centres -- 2.3.4 Pressed Density -- 2.3.5 Strength of Confining Container -- 2.3.6 Material Ageing -- 2.3.7 Laser-Induced Electrical Response -- 2.4 Laser-Driven Flyer Plate Initiations -- 2.5 Summary and Research Rationale -- 2.5.1 Rationale for Research -- Bibliography -- References -- 3 Lasers and Their Characteristics -- 3.1 Definition of Laser -- 3.2 Concept of Light -- 3.3 Parameters Characterizing Light Sources -- 3.4 Basic Principle of Lasers -- 3.5 Basic Technology of Lasers -- 3.6 Comparison between Laser and Thermal Sources -- 3.7 Suitable Laser Sources for Ignition Applications -- 3.7.1 Nd:YAG Laser -- 3.7.2 Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) -- 3.7.3 Diode Lasers -- 3.8 Beam Delivery Methods for Laser Ignition -- 3.8.1 Free Space Delivery -- 3.8.2 Fibre Optics Beam Delivery -- 3.9 Laser Safety -- 3.9.1 Laser Interaction with Biological Tissues -- 3.9.2 Precaution against Ocular Hazards -- Bibliography -- 4 General Characteristics of Energetic Materials -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 The Nature of Explosions -- 4.3 Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Explosives -- 4.4 Fuel and Oxidizer Concept -- 4.4.1 Explosive Mixtures -- 4.4.2 Pyrotechnics -- 4.4.3 Rocket Propellants -- 4.5 Explosive Compounds -- 4.5.1 Chemical Classification -- 4.6 Thermodynamics of Explosions -- 4.6.1 Oxygen Balance -- Appendix 4.A -- A.1 Data for Some Explosives.

A.1.1 TNT (Trinitrotoluene) -- A.1.2 HNS(Hexanitrostilbene) -- A.1.3 DATB (1,3,Diamino,2,4,6,trinitrobenzene) -- A.1.4 TATB (1,3,5,-Triamino-2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene) -- A.1.5 Picric Acid (2,4,6,trinito- hydroxy benzene) -- A.1.6 Styphnic Acid (2,4,6,trinito-1,3, dihydroxy benzene) -- A.1.7 Tetryl or CE (Composition Exploding) -- A.1.8 PICRITE (Niroguanidine) -- A.1.9 RDX (Research Department eXplosive) -- A.1.10 HMX (High Molecular-weight eXplosive) -- A.1.11 EGDN (Nitroglycol) -- A.1.12 NG (Nitroglycerine) -- A.1.13 NC (Nitro-Cellulose) -- A.1.14 PETN (Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate) -- A.1.15 Metal Salts -- A.2 Unusual Explosives -- A.2.1 Tetrazene -- Bibliography -- 5 Recent Developments in Explosives -- 5.1 Introduction -- 5.2 Improvements in Explosive Performance -- 5.2.1 Heat of Explosion Hc (Q) -- 5.2.2 Density of Explosives -- 5.3 Areas under Development -- 5.3.1 New Requirements for Explosive Compositions -- 5.4 Plastic-Bonded High Explosives -- 5.4.1 Plastic-Bonded Compositions -- 5.4.2 Thermoplastics -- 5.4.3 Thermosetting Materials -- 5.5 Choice of High Explosive for Plastic Bonded Compositions -- 5.6 High-Energy Plastic Matrices -- 5.7 Reduced Sensitivity Explosives -- 5.8 High Positive Enthalpies of Formation Explosives -- 5.8.1 High Nitrogen-Containing Molecules -- 5.8.2 Pure Nitrogen Compounds -- 5.8.3 Other High-Nitrogen Compounds -- 5.8.4 Nitrogen Heterocycles -- Glossary of Chemical Names for High-Melting-Point Explosives -- Bibliography -- References -- 6 Explosion Processes -- 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Burning -- 6.3 Detonation -- 6.4 Mechanism of Deflagration to Detonation Transition -- 6.5 Shock-to-Detonation -- 6.6 The Propagation of Detonation -- 6.7 Velocity of Detonation -- 6.7.1 Effect of Density of Loading -- 6.7.2 Effect of Diameter of Charge -- 6.7.3 Degree of Confinement -- 6.7.4 Effect of Strength of Detonator.

6.8 The Measurement of Detonation Velocity -- 6.9 Classifications of Explosives and Pyrotechnics by Functions and Sensitivity -- 6.10 The Effects of High Explosives -- 6.10.1 Energy Distribution in Explosions -- 6.11 Explosive Power -- 6.12 Calculation of Q and V from Thermochemistry of Explosives -- 6.12.1 General Considerations -- 6.12.2 Energy of Decomposition -- 6.12.3 Products of the Explosion Process -- 6.13 Kistiakowsky - Wilson Rules -- 6.14 Additional Equilibria -- 6.15 Energy Released on Detonation -- 6.16 Volume of Gases Produced during Explosion -- 6.17 Explosive Power -- 6.17.1 Improving Explosives Power -- 6.18 Shockwave Effects -- 6.19 Appendices: Measurement of Velocity of Detonation -- Appendix 6.A: Dautriche Method -- Appendix 6.B: The Rotating Mirror Streak Camera Method -- Appendix 6.C: The Continuous Wire Method -- Appendix 6.D: The Event Circuit -- Bibliography -- References -- 7 Decomposition Processes and Initiation of Energetic Materials -- 7.1 Effect of Heat on Explosives -- 7.2 Decomposition Mechanisms -- 7.2.1 Thermal Decomposition Mechanism of TNT -- 7.2.2 Non-Aromatic Nitro Compounds -- 7.2.3 Nitro Ester Thermal Decomposition -- 7.2.4 Nitramine Thermal Decomposition -- 7.2.5 Photon-Induced Decomposition Mechanisms -- 7.3 Practical Initiation Techniques -- 7.3.1 Methods of Initiation -- 7.3.2 Direct Heating -- 7.3.3 Mechanical Methods -- 7.3.4 Electrical Systems -- 7.3.5 Chemical Reaction -- 7.3.6 Initiation by Shockwave -- 7.4 Classification of Explosives by Ease of Initiation -- 7.5 Initiatory Explosives -- 7.5.1 Primary Explosive Compounds -- 7.5.2 Primer Usage -- 7.6 Igniters and Detonators -- 7.7 Explosive Trains -- 7.7.1 Explosive Trains in Commercial Blasting -- Bibliography -- References -- 8 Developments in Alternative Primary Explosives -- 8.1 Safe Handling of Novel Primers -- 8.2 Introduction.

8.3 Totally Organic -- 8.4 Simple Salts of Organics -- 8.5 Transition Metal Complexes and Salts -- 8.6 Enhancement of Laser Sensitivity -- References -- Appendix 8.A: Properties of Novel Primer Explosives -- Appendix 8.B: Molecular Structures of Some New Primer Compounds -- Purely Organic Primers -- 9 Optical and Thermal Properties of Energetic Materials -- 9.1 Optical Properties -- 9.1.1 Introduction -- 9.1.2 Theoretical Considerations -- 9.1.3 Practical Considerations -- 9.1.4 Examples of Absorption Spectra -- 9.2 Thermal Properties -- 9.2.1 Introduction -- 9.2.2 Heat Capacity -- 9.2.3 Thermal Conductivity -- 9.2.4 Thermal Diffusivity -- References -- 10 Theoretical Aspects of Laser Interaction with Energetic Materials -- 10.1 Introduction -- 10.2 Parameters Relevant to Laser Interaction -- 10.2.1 Laser Parameters -- 10.2.2 Material Parameters -- 10.3 Mathematical Formalism -- 10.3.1 Basic Concept -- 10.3.2 Optical Absorption -- 10.3.3 Optical Reflection -- 10.4 Heat Transfer Theory -- References -- 11 Laser Ignition - Practical Considerations -- 11.1 Introduction -- 11.1.1 Laser Source -- 11.1.2 Beam Delivery System -- 11.2 Laser Driven Flyer Plate -- 11.3 Direct Laser Ignition -- 11.3.1 Explosives -- 11.3.2 Propellants -- 11.3.3 LI of Pyrotechnic Materials -- References -- 12 Conclusions and Future Prospect -- 12.1 Introduction -- 12.2 Theoretical Considerations -- 12.3 Lasers -- 12.4 Optical and Thermal Properties of Energetic Materials -- 12.5 State of the Art: Laser Ignition -- 12.6 Future Prospect -- References -- Index -- EULA.