Ultraviolet Emissions from Explosive Detonation Breakout

Area of Science:

• Spectroscopy
• High Explosives
• Combustion Chemistry

Background:

• Understanding high explosive detonation is crucial for safety and forensic applications.
• Previous studies have limited spectroscopic data in the ultraviolet (UV) region post-detonation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present detailed UV spectroscopic measurements of high explosive detonation breakout.
• To analyze molecular features and determine temperature profiles.
• To discuss implications for forensic analysis.

Main Methods:

• Performed detailed spectroscopic measurements in the ultraviolet region during high explosive detonation breakout.
• Observed and analyzed molecular features associated with CN, NH, OH, and N2.
• Measured temperature using spectral broadening and band intensity analysis.

Main Results:

• Observed molecular features from detonation products (CN, NH, OH, N2).
• Spectra indicated extreme temperatures exceeding 5000 K within microseconds post-breakout.
• Molecular bands were confirmed to originate from detonation products, not ambient air.
• Oxygen was found to strongly attenuate these molecular bands.

Conclusions:

• UV spectroscopy provides valuable insights into high explosive detonation dynamics.
• The extreme temperatures and specific molecular signatures can be used for explosive identification.
• Findings have direct implications for forensic analysis of explosive residues.