Microshell-tipped optical fibers as sensors of high-pressure pulses in adverse environments
We have developed and used an optical-fiber sensor for detecting the arrival of strong pressure pulses. The sensor consists of an optical fiber, tipped with a gas-filled microballoon. They have been used successfully in adverse environments including explosives, ballistics and electromagnetic pulses (EMP). The sensor produces a bright optical pulse caused by the rapid shock-heating of a gas, typically argon or xenon, which is confined in the spherical glass or plastic microballoon. The light pulse is transmitted via the optical fiber to a photo detector, usually a streak camera or photomultiplier tube. The microballoon optical sensor (called an optical pin by analogy to standard electrical pins), was originally developed for diagnosing an explosive, pulsed-power generator. Optical pins are required due to the EMP. The optical pins are economical arrival-time indicators because many channels can be recorded by one streak camera. The generator tests and related experiments, involving projectile velocities and detonation velocities of several kilometers per/sec have demonstrated the usefulness of the sensors in explosives and ballistics applications. We have also measured the sensitivity of the optical pins to slowly-moving projectiles and found that a 200 m/sec projectile impacting the microballoon sensor produces a flash having a risetime less than 100 ns and a pulse duration (FWHM) of less than 300 ns. The technical and cost advantages of this optical pin make it potentially useful for many electromagnetic, explosive, and ballistics applications.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); KMS Fusion, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 6665903
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-84-2345; CONF-840872-12; ON: DE84015520
- Resource Relation:
- Journal Volume: 0506; Conference: SPIE annual technical symposium, San Diego, CA, USA, 19 Aug 1984; Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Application of optical-fiber pins to explosive, pulse-power generators
Optical pin apparatus for measuring the arrival time and velocity of shock waves and particles