Quantum control for initiation and detection of explosives

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2010

OSTI ID:988336

Greenfield, Margo T ^[1]; Mc Grane, Shawn D ^[1]; Scharff, R Jason ^[1]; Moore, David S ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Laboratory

We employ quantum control methods towards detection and quantum controlled initiation (QCI) of energetic materials. Ultrafast pulse shaping of broadband Infrared ({approx}750 nm to 850 run) and ultraviolet (266 nm, 400 nm) light is utilized for control. The underlying principals behind optimal control can be utilized to both detect and initiate explosives. In each case, time dependent phase shaped electric fields drive the chemical systems towards a desired state. For optimal dynamic detection of explosives (ODD-Ex) a phase specific broadband infrared pulse is created which increases not only the sensitivity of detection but also the selectivity of an explosive's spectral signatures in a background of interferents. QCI on the other hand, seeks to initiate explosives by employing shaped ultraviolet light. QCI is ideal for use with explosive detonators as it removes the possibility of unintentional initiation from an electrical source while adding an additional safety feature, initiation only with the proper pulse shape. Quantum control experiments require: (1) the ability to phase and amplitude shape the laser pulse and (2) the ability to effectively search for the pulse shape which controls the reaction. In these adaptive experiments we utilize both global and local optimization search routines such as genetic algorithm, differential evolution, and downhill simplex. Pulse shaping the broadband IR light, produced by focusing 800 nm light through a pressurized tube of Argon, is straightforward as commercial pulse shapers are available at and around 800 nm. Pulse shaping in the UV requires a home built shaper. Our system is an acoustic optical modulator (AOM) pulse shaper in which consists of a fused silica AOM crystal placed in the Fourier plane of a 4-f zero dispersion compressor.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC52-06NA25396
• OSTI ID: 988336
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-10-00801; LA-UR-10-801
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66
ACOUSTICS
AMPLITUDES
ARGON
DETECTION
DETONATORS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
EXPLOSIVES
FOCUSING
GENETICS
LASERS
OPTIMAL CONTROL
OPTIMIZATION
PULSE SHAPERS
SAFETY
SENSITIVITY
SHAPE
SILICA