Semiconductor Bridge (SCB): A new method for the ignition of explosives and pyrotechnics
Small metal bridgewires (hot wires) are often used to ignite energetic powders such as propellants, pyrotechnics and explosive powders. We have developed a new means for ignition of such powders using a semiconductor bridge or SCB which is heavily doped polysilicon film 100 ..mu..m long by 380 ..mu..m wide by 2 ..mu..m thick. When driven by a short (less than 20..mu..s), low energy (less than 3.5 mJ) current pulse, the SCB produces a hot plasma that ignites the explosive material pressed against it. SCB explosive devices function in a few tens of microseconds and operate at one-tenth the input energy of conventional hot-wire devices. Despite the low energy for ignition, tests have revealed the SCB devices to be electrostatic discharge safe and less sensitive to no-fire current levels than hot-wire components. We report in this paper data obtained comparing a pyrotechnic SCB actuator with its hot-wire analog, a comparison of an SCB thruster with its hot-wire equivalent and test results for a prototype SCB lead azide detonator. In addition, because the SCB is compatible with digital circuitry, we are developing ''smart'' components which will incorporate the SCB into a single thumb size package (containing the SCB and firing set) which is controlled by digital signals. Thus programmed firing (such as accurate delay sequences) of SCB devices is easily achieved. We describe in this paper a prototype delay device and a sequential firing experiment in which twenty actautors were fired in a programmed sequence. 11 refs., 11 figs., 3 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6955192
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-88-0679C; CONF-880976-1; ON: DE88011246
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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