M. V. Anan’eva

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.

Explosive decomposition kinetics of tetranitropentaerythrite aluminum pellets

The explosive decomposition kinetics of tetranitropentaerythrite aluminum compressed pellets is studied with a high time resolution. Explosive decomposition is initiated by a pulsed 1064-nm laser with a pulse FWHM of 12 ns. Emphasis is on the prethreshold glow mode, which sets in at a pulse energy density below 1 J/cm2. The ascending part of the glow intensity curve is described by a Gaussian function with effective constant k = (1.2 + 0.2) × 108 s−1. The characteristic decay time is about 40 ns. The total glow duration does not exceed 100 ns. Explosive decomposition becomes noticeable immediately during the pulse: the induction period is absent. The initial portion of the glow intensity curve is described by a Gaussian function with effective constant k = (1.4 + 0.1) × 108 s−1. The explosive glow kinetics is biextremal. The first peak is nearly coincident with the maximum of the laser action, and the extension of the second peak is 600 ns. Experimental data are treated in terms of the prethreshold model of thermal explosion.

Specific Features of Plasmon Resonance in Nanoparticles of Different Metals

Spectral dependences of the light extinction and absorption efficiency coefficients are calculated for silver, gold, nickel, and aluminum nanoparticles within the framework of the Mie theory. It is demonstrated that narrow plasmon bands are observed for small (with a radius of less than 50 nm) nanoparticles of noble metals, whereas broad bands in the spectral dependences of the extinction and absorption efficiencies are typical for nickel and aluminum nanoparticles. It is concluded that using spectral dependences of extinction for estimating the radius of nanoparticles is correct only for noble metals. The results are interpreted based on wavelength dependences of complex refractive indices of metals.

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.

A diffusion model of chain-branching reaction of the explosive decomposition of heavy metal azides

A diffusion model of a solid-phase chain reaction of explosive decomposition of heavy metal azides was developed. The dimensional effects of initiation of the reaction were examined: the dependence of the critical fluence of initiation on the microcrystal size H(R) and on the irradiated zone diameter H(d). It was demonstrated that the diffusion model of the chain reaction closely describes the measured H(R) dependence at diffusion coefficients of D ∼ 0.2–0.3 cm2/s, values that correspond to experimentally measured mobility of electronic charge carriers of μ ∼ 10 cm2/(V s). To account for the measured H(d) dependence and the reaction front propagation velocity (V = 1.2 km/s), it is necessary that the diffusion coefficient be three orders of magnitude higher than the experimentally determined value. That the H(R) and H(d) dependences cannot be quantitatively described simultaneously is indicative of the underlying mechanisms of energy transfer being different.

Rate constant of capture of electron charge carriers on a screened repulsive center

The rate constant of capture of electron charge carriers on a screened repulsive center are performed. Approximate expressions for the potential barrier width, the capture cross section, and rate constant are derived. It is shown that the increase in the concentration of free charge carriers in silver azide from 1016 to 1020 cm−3 results in an increase in the capture rate constant by four orders of magnitude. It is also shown that, with increasing concentration of free carriers, the temperature dependence of the rate constant weakens and the effective activation energy of capture in silver azide decreases from 0.18 to 0.01 eV.

Characteristics of the initiation of the explosive decomposition of PETN by the second-harmonic pulsed radiation of a neodymium laser

The critical fluence of the initiation of the explosive decomposition of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) by the second harmonic of a neodymium laser (532 nm) is found to be 12.3 J/cm2. It is shown that, under these conditions, the nonlinear two-photon absorption of light takes place. The critical fluence of the initiation of PETN explosive decomposition in the two-photon absorption mode is calculated within the framework of the thermal explosion model (14.7 J/cm2), which indicates that the thermal mechanism of explosive decomposition is operative under these conditions.

Paradox of small particles in the pulsed laser initiation of explosive decomposition of energetic materials

The dependences of the critical energy density required to initiate the explosive decomposition of lead azide and the radius of the most heated nanoparticle on the pulse duration of the first harmonic of neodymium laser (1064 nm) are calculated within the framework of the micro-hotspot model of thermal explosion. The calculations are carried out with account for the dependence of the absorption efficiency factor of the laser pulse on the lead nanoparticle radius. With the maximum value of the absorption efficiency factor (1.18), the lead nanoparticle radius (in lead azide) becomes 74 nm. If the pulse duration is short (smaller than 40 ns), the radius of the most heated lead nanoparticle in the lead azide matrix varies slightly (less than 15%) and equals 63.5 nm within the range of short pulse durations. Accounting for the dependence of the absorption efficiency factor of the laser pulse on the nanoparticle radius makes it possible to resolve the paradox of small particles.

Determination of spatial characteristics of the chain reaction wave in silver azide

The paper presents the methodology and results of determination of the spatiotemporal characteristics of the solid-state chain reaction wave in silver azide, initiated by a neodymium laser pulsed. The wave’s leading front width at half maximum is l1 = (110 ± 10) μm, the wave’s rear front width at half maximum is l2 = (120 ± 20) μm. The spatiotemporal parameters of the reaction wave in silver azide whiskers are calculated using a phenomenological model of the process previously proposed by the authors. It is shown that the calculated values of the velocity and the wave front width are consistent with the available experimental data.

Explosive decomposition of pentaerythritol tetranitrate pellets containing nickel nanoparticles with various radii

The kinetics of the explosive decomposition of pressed pentaerythritol tetranitrate pellets containing nickel nanoparticles with various radii has been investigated experimentally, with the explosion initiated by a neodymium laser pulse (wavelength, 1064 nm; pulse duration at half-height, 14 ns), and probability curves for this process have been recorded. The experimental values of critical initiation energy density corresponding to 50% explosion probability are 0.9, 0.7, and 1.4 J/cm2 at a nickel particle radius of 67, 78, and 138 nm, respectively. The initial time interval in which the intensity of light emission accompanying the explosive decomposition increases begins during the action of the pulse and is described by a Gaussian function with an effective constant of k = (1.4 ± 0.1) × 108 s–1, which is independent of the nanoparticle radius. Experimental data of this study can be interpreted within the micro-hotspot model of thermal explosion.