SPECTROSCOPIC DETERMINATION OF IMPACT SENSITIVITIES OF EXPLOSIVES

A simple theory is developed which predicts impact sensitivities in cr ystalline explosives from vibrational spectra measured at room tempera ture. The theory uses Raman spectra of energetic materials to construc t vibrational energy level diagrams, which are then used as input for a model designed to calculate the rate of energy transfer from phonon and near-phonon vibrational energy levels to higher energy vibrational levels, Energy transfer rates are determined using Fermi's Golden Rul e and results from simple theories of near-resonant energy transfer. T he application of the theory and model, using Raman spectra of seven d ifferent neat explosive samples, gives results in good agreement with results of drop weight impact tests.