Using lasers to study explosions

Using lasers to study explosions
An explosion is a complex event involving quickly changing temperatures, pressures and chemical concentrations. A special type of infrared laser, known as a swept-wavelength external cavity quantum cascade laser, can be used to study explosions. This versatile instrument has a broad wavelength tuning range that allows the measurement of multiple chemical substances in an explosive fireball. The ability to measure and monitor the dramatic changes during explosions could help scientists understand and even control them. This image shows how a swept-wavelength external cavity quantum cascade laser measures rapid changes in infrared light absorbed by molecules inside an explosive detonation. Credit: Mark C. Phillips

An explosion is a complex event involving quickly changing temperatures, pressures and chemical concentrations. In a paper in the Journal of Applied Physics a special type of infrared laser, known as a swept-wavelength external cavity quantum cascade laser (swept-ECQCL), is used to study explosions. This versatile instrument has a broad wavelength tuning range that allows the measurement of multiple chemical substances, even large molecules, in an explosive fireball.

The ability to measure and monitor the dramatic changes during explosions could help scientists understand and even control them. Measurements using rugged temperature or pressure probes placed inside an exploding can provide physical data but cannot measure chemical changes that may be generated during the explosion. Sampling the end products of a detonation is possible but provides information only once the explosion is over.

In this work, molecules in the fireball are detected by monitoring the way they interact with light, especially in the infrared region. These measurements are fast and can be taken a safe distance away. Since fireballs are turbulent and full of strongly absorbing substances, lasers are needed.

Using a new instrument built in their lab, the investigators measured explosive events at faster speeds, at higher resolutions and for longer time periods than previously possible using infrared .

"The swept-ECQCL approach enables new measurements by combining the best features of high-resolution tunable spectroscopy with broadband methods such as FTIR," co-author Mark Phillips explained.

The study looked at four types of high-energy explosives, all placed in a specially designed chamber to contain the fireball. A from the swept-ECQCL was directed through this chamber while rapidly varying the laser light's wavelength. The laser light transmitted through the fireball was recorded throughout each explosion to measure changes in the way infrared light was absorbed by molecules in the fireball.

The explosion produces substances such as , carbon monoxide, water vapor and nitrous oxide. These can all detected by the characteristic way each absorbs infrared light. Detailed analysis of the results provided the investigators with information about temperature and concentrations of these substances throughout the explosive event. They were also able to measure absorption and emission of infrared light from tiny solid particles (soot) created by the .

The swept-ECQCL measurements provide a new way to study explosive detonations that could have other uses. In future studies, the investigators hope to extend the measurements to more wavelengths, faster scan rates, and higher resolutions.

More information: Mark C. Phillips et al, Characterization of high-explosive detonations using broadband infrared external cavity quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy, Journal of Applied Physics (2019). DOI: 10.1063/1.5107508

Journal information: Journal of Applied Physics

Citation: Using lasers to study explosions (2019, September 3) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2019-09-lasers-explosions.html
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