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 expanding aluminum plasma launches a shock wave into the adjacent layer of GAP, initiating chemical reactions. The shock velocity has been measured by use of a velocity interferometer as a function of the thickness of the GAP layer and the fluence of the Nd:YAG laser pulse. Shock pressures as high as 8 GPa have been generated in this manner. Detonation of thick GAP samples has been observed, providing important information about the chemical reaction rates and the thickness of the reaction zone. (C) 1995 American Institute of Physics.