Development of a portable non-contact optical diagnostic system for the detection of delta-HMX

Andrew J. Dale; Mark W. Wright; Christopher T. Hughes; Mike D. Bowden

doi:10.1117/12.734178

13 September 2007 Development of a portable non-contact optical diagnostic system for the detection of δ-HMX

Andrew J. Dale, Mark W. Wright, Christopher T. Hughes, Mike D. Bowden

Proceedings Volume 6662, Optical Technologies for Arming, Safing, Fuzing, and Firing III; 666209 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.734178
Event: Photonic Devices + Applications, 2007, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

If a HMX-based explosive is subjected to an insult then there is a potential for the insulted β-HMX to undergo a phase change to the more sensitive δ form. AWE has an ongoing programme to develop a science-based model of the response of HMX-based explosives to potential insults. As part of this programme there is a need to identify whether δ-HMX has been formed, as this would subsequently affect the intrinsic safety properties of the formulation. δ-HMX, unlike the more stable β form, exhibits unusual optical properties for an explosive, as it acts as a frequency-doubling material. When illuminated by a high-energy laser pulse areas of the explosive charge that contain δ-HMX emit frequency doubled light. This non-linear optical phenomenon allows for a non-invasive diagnostic to be developed to study creation of the more sensitive δ phase within HMX based formulations. AWE has developed a portable diagnostic system based on this concept to investigate the behaviour of HMX-based explosives after low-speed impacts. The results of the commissioning trials are presented; using both an inert simulant, KDP, to align and prove the system and HMX samples from low-speed impact experiments. The results of these experiments are compared to initial calculations using the Hydrocode EDEN.

Citation Download Citation

Andrew J. Dale, Mark W. Wright, Christopher T. Hughes, and Mike D. Bowden "Development of a portable non-contact optical diagnostic system for the detection of δ-HMX", Proc. SPIE 6662, Optical Technologies for Arming, Safing, Fuzing, and Firing III, 666209 (13 September 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.734178

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