Multimode polymer chirped fiber Bragg grating for shock and detonation velocity

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Physics
• Engineering

Background:

• Continuous measurement of shock and detonation velocities is crucial for understanding high-explosive behavior.
• Current methods using silica chirped fiber Bragg gratings (CFBGs) are effective but can be improved for low-pressure sensitivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To manufacture and characterize multimode polymer chirped fiber Bragg gratings (CFBGs) for enhanced sensitivity in shock wave measurements.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of using these polymer CFBGs as sensors in detonation experiments.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of 22-mm-long multimode polymer CFBGs.
• Characterization of the manufactured polymer CFBGs.
• Implementation of a polymer CFBG sensor in a detonation experiment on a Formex strip.

Main Results:

• Successful manufacturing and characterization of multimode polymer CFBGs.
• Demonstration of the sensor's feasibility in a real detonation experiment.
• Identification of uncertainties, primarily related to the use of multimode fiber, which require further investigation.

Conclusions:

• Polymer-based CFBGs show promise for increasing sensitivity in shock wave and detonation velocity measurements, particularly at lower pressures.
• Further research is needed to mitigate uncertainties associated with multimode fiber use for more precise measurements.