ABSTRACT

Exploding bridgewire (EBW) detonators work by electrically exploding a thin conducting wire as a result of a high voltage discharge from a capacitor. The process creates a strong UV (ultraviolet) emission and a shock compaction wave into the surrounding porous explosive bed. To investigate the significance of each, the research presented here utilized air gaps, an optical window, or inert porous powders between the bridge and explosive powder bed. The thickness of the air gap was varied to attenuate the air shock but allow the transmission of UV light. The optical properties of the inert porous bed were varied to allow a similar shock compaction to occur, but with different intensities of UV light. Finally, a thin optical window was used that blocked the shock, but allowed transmission of the UV light. It is clearly shown that both UV light and shock compaction are important to the functioning of EBW detonators at practical energy levels although each is individually capable of resulting in detonation if sufficient pure energy of either form is applied.

摘要

爆炸桥线 (EBW) 雷管的工作原理是由于电容器的高压放电而使细导线电爆炸。该过程会在周围的多孔炸药床中产生强烈的紫外线（紫外线）发射和冲击压实波。为了研究每一个的重要性，这里介绍的研究利用了气隙、光学窗口或桥梁和爆炸粉末床之间的惰性多孔粉末。改变气隙的厚度以减弱空气冲击，但允许紫外线透射。惰性多孔床的光学性质发生变化，以允许发生类似的冲击压实，但紫外线强度不同。最后，使用了一个薄的光学窗口来阻挡冲击，但允许紫外线透射。