The application of multispectral light detectors to gauge detonative events by means of their emitted light signature

Abstract

It is well known that reacting explosives emit light of varying intensity across the light spectrum. Measurement of this emitted light could have many applications, i.a. the creation of a database of characteristic light signatures at specific wavelengths for explosive configurations and munitions. Such information may enable the recognition of certain events, or the comparison of events with previous ones for consistency (i.e. gauging). This will assist in explosive event research and the development of new generation explosives, e.g. Insensitive Munition etc. To investigate the previously mentioned, the CSIR LS executed explosive tests with proprietary in-house developed single-wavelength light detectors. Arbitrarily, two wavelengths were chosen for discussion at which the detonative emitted light measurements were performed. The captured signatures of PE4, Composition B and other explosive charges, of various mass and geometry, are compared and discussed.