A. A. Zvekov

Effect of laser radiation absorption efficiency on the heating temperature of inclusions in transparent media

The efficiency of light absorption by inclusions of various metals in transparent media is calculated using as an example silver azide, lead, and PETN. It is shown that the absorption efficiency, along with the laser pulse energy density, has a decisive influence on the maximum temperature of heating of the inclusion. Dependences of the maximum heating temperature on the radius of the inclusions are plotted for a pulse duration of 30 ns. Asymptotic expressions are obtained for the dependence of the maximum heating temperature on the pulse duration for an ensemble of inclusions.

Influence of laser wavelength on the critical energy density for initiation of energetic materials

Critical densities of the energy of laser initiation of PETN containing nanoscale aluminum inclusions at radiation wavelengths of 1064 and 532 nm were measured experimentally. The critical initiation-energy density that corresponds to a 50%th probability of explosion was 1.15 J/cm2 for the first harmonic of a neodymium laser and 0.7 J/cm2 for the second. The dependence of the efficiency of radiation absorption by aluminum on the size of metal nanoparticles for the first and second harmonics of a neodymium laser is calculated. It is shown that the particle diameter corresponding to the absorption efficiency maximum and the amplitude of the maximum depend on the radiation wavelength. The absorption efficiency maximum for the first harmonic is observed in an inclusion 204 nm in diameter, and for the second, in an inclusion 96 nm in diameter. The amplitude of the maximum increases from 0.351 at a wavelength of 1064 nm to 0.490 at a wavelength of 532 nm. Dependences of the critical initiation energy density for energetic materials on the radius of metallic nanoparticles are calculated. Qualitative agreement between theoretical and experimental results is shown.

Determining the width of the reaction wave front in the explosive decomposition of silver azide

A procedure was developed and used to determine the width of the reaction wave in the explosive decomposition of single crystal whiskers (υ = 1.2 ± 0.2 km/s and l = 230 ± 30 µm) and a pressed powder (υ = 4.0 ± 0.4 km/s and l = 110 ± 10 µm) of silver azide. It is shown that in the mode of reaction propagation at a rate of 1.2 ± 0.2 km/s, the decomposition wave is almost symmetric, in contrast to the detonation wave.

Heat-transfer processes upon laser heating of inert-matrix-hosted inclusions

A model to describe the heating of metal inclusions in inert media by a laser radiation pulse with allowance for the heat-transfer and melting processes in the matrix and inclusion materials is proposed. The time regularities of the heating of the matrix and inclusions were examined, and the dependences of the maximum temperature on the particle surface on the laser pulse energy density and on the particle radius were obtained. Approximate formulae for the maximum heating temperature and for the radius of most heated particles are proposed. We show that melting processes result in a reduction of the maximum heating temperature and in an insignificant variation of the radius of most heated particles.

Miro-hotspot model for the laser initiation of explosive decomposition of energetic materials with melting taken into account

In this paper, we study a micro-hotspot model for the laser initiation of explosive decomposition taking into account the melting of the matrix of the energetic material and the nanometallic inclusion contained in its volume. The heating features of the nanoparticle in an inert matrix are investigated, and the dependence of the maximum temperature on the surface of the inclusion on its radius is constructed. It is shown that melting leads to a reduction in the maximum heating temperature and a slight change in the radius of the most heated nanoparticle. The dependences of the critical initiation energy density of explosive decomposition of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) with aluminum nanoparticles on the inclusion radius with and without melting are calculated. With melting taken into account, the model gives higher critical initiation energy density of explosive decomposition. In the case of inclusions of large radius, the formation of the reaction site of explosive decomposition occurs before complete melting of the metal inclusion, which results in solidification of the melt during the induction period.

Relaxation of electronically excited products of solid-state reactions in the crystal lattice

The mechanisms of deactivation of electronically excited products of decomposition of silver azide (nitrogen molecules) are examined. A model of dipole interaction with the electron subsystem of the crystal is used to estimate the rate constants of deactivation with formation of electron-hole pairs (∼109 s−1) and energy transfer to a band hole (∼10−12 cm3 s−1). The values obtained confirm the basic postulate underlying the models of solid-phase chain reactions: the preferential formation of electronic excitations of the crystal lattice during the deactivation of excited decomposition products.

Critical conditions of reaction initiation in the PETN during laser heating of light-absorbing nanoparticles

This paper describes the micro-hotspot model of laser initiation of energy materials. The relationship of the critical energy density and the temperature of the reaction hotspot in PETN with the nanoparticle radii of 12 metals at a pulse duration at half-height of 14 ns is determined. It is established that, as the nanoparticle radius is about 10 nm, the critical energy density tends to a certain value independent of heat capacity of metal. This is due to the reduction of the ratio of the nanoparticle volume to the volume of the heated PETN layer, which leads to the fact that most of the energy is spent on heating the matrix. It is shown that the critical hotspot temperature depends on both pulse duration and nanoparticle radius. The analytical expressions for the relationships of the critical parameters of reaction initiation with the radius and heat capacity of metal nanoparticles and for the relationship of the critical hotspot temperature with pulse duration are obtained. The invariant binding the critical energy density and the characteristic development time of the reaction is discovered. The results of this paper are necessary for the optimization of the composition of the optical detonator cell.

Thermophysical processes initiated by inert-matrix-hosted nanoparticles heated by laser pulses of different durations

In the present study, a model for the heating of inert-matrix-hosted metal nanoparticles with laser radiation taking into account the melting processes is examined. The calculations were performed using the characteristics of gold and pentaerythritol tetranitrate materials. The kinetic dependences of the temperature and molten-layer thickness on nanoparticle surface were calculated. The main non-dimensional governing parameters of the model were identified. An expression for the maximum thickness of molten layer was obtained. The results can be used in predicting the stability of nonlinear-optics devices with hosted gold nanoparticles, in raising the efficiency of hyperthermia cancer therapy, and in optimizing the optical detonators.

Spatial and Temporal Characteristics of Detonation Wave Propagation in Silver Azide

It is shown that a detonation wave is formed in needle-like pressed pellets of silver azide initiated by a neodymium laser pulse. The propagation velocity of the reaction was 3.65±0.12 km/s. Kinetic regularities of the initiation of detonation regimes of propagation of the explosive decomposition reaction were studied, and the spatial characteristics of the glow wave were determined: the width of the leading and rear edges of the wave at half-height were 100±18 and 112±15 µm, respectively.