Characterization of High-Explosive Initiation and Safety at Los Alamos

Abstract
The Chapman-Jouget and ZND models of steady detonation have proved most useful for engineering estimation of the propagation of near-planar, steady detonation in short-reaction-zone explosives. However, even in well characterized systems, the purposeful initiation of detonation is not described by these models. The highly divergent and microscopic nature of point initiation require discerning experiments, modeling, and theoretical analysis. Recently, safety considerations in complex or damaged systems, possibly containing long-reaction-zone (insensitive) high explosives, have dominated our thinking. These situations are rarely planar or steady, the physical state of the explosive may not be easily characterized, and there is a wide range of potential stimuli. The high-explosive reaction may range from none, to deflagration, to partial detonation, or to full detonation. Techniques and data applicable to estimating the level of response are needed.