Experience of using synchrotron radiation for studying detonation processes

Results of studying detonation processes in condensed high explosives, which are obtained by methods based on using synchrotron radiation, are summarized. Beam parameters are given, and elements of the station and measurement system are described. Data on the density distribution in the detonation front for several high explosives are presented, and values of parameters in the Neumann spike and at the Jouguet point are determined. A method used to reconstruct a complete set of gasdynamic characteristics (density fields, particle velocity vector, and pressure) from the experimentally measured dynamics of the x-ray shadow of the examined flow is described. Results of using this method for studying detonation of a charge of plastic-bonded TATB are presented. A method of measuring small-angle x-ray scattering in the course of detonation conversion is described. Based on results obtained by this method for a number of high explosives with an excess content of carbon, kinetics of condensation of free carbon and dynamics of the mean size of nanoparticles being formed thereby are analyzed.