Abstract:
As a green technology, laser ignition of a relatively insensitive secondary
explosive has been experimentally investigated. The explosive, hexanitrostilbene
(HNS), was doped with one of two optical sensitizers, carbon black or a laser
absorbing dye, and a continuous-wave (CW) infrared diode laser was used as the
igniting source. The ignition sensitivities of HNS with each of the two optical
sensitizers were analysed and compared in terms of: optical power threshold for
ignition, ignition delay and full burn delay at various laser powers. The results
have shown that both the chemical dye and carbon black optically sensitize
the explosive with similar efficiencies. In contrast to the carbon black, the dye
provides wavelength specificity and selectivity in the laser ignition process and its
solubility in some specific solvents improves the coating of the explosive material.
It was therefore concluded that the laser absorbing dye is a better candidate for
optical sensitization in laser ignition than the commonly used carbon black. The
combination of laser ignition sensitivity with wavelength selectivity potentially
offers higher reliability and safety at a low optical power for future ignitors of
secondary explosives.