LASER-GENERATED SHOCK-WAVES IN THIN-FILMS OF ENERGETIC MATERIALS

Shock waves are generated in thin films of glycidyl azide polymer (GAP ) by pulsed laser vaporization of a thin aluminum film. The rapidly ex panding aluminum plasma launches a shock wave into the adjacent layer of GAP, initiating chemical reactions. The shock velocity has been mea sured by use of a velocity interferometer as a function of the thickne ss of the GAP layer and the fluence of the Nd:YAG laser pulse. Shock p ressures as high as 8 GPa have been generated in this manner. Detonati on of thick GAP samples has been observed, providing important informa tion about the chemical reaction rates and the thickness of the reacti on zone. (C) 1995 American Institute of Physics.