Kinetics and mechanism of explosive decomposition of heavy metal azides

The explosive decomposition of heavy metal azides initiated by a laser pulse was studied experimentally over a broad range of action levels (from the threshold values to those exceeding the threshold ignition energy by a factor of 100) and in the time interval including the induction period, and rapid explosive decomposition, and the expansion of detonation products. The explosive glow and expansion dynamics of the decomposition products in air and vacuum were investigated, and the velocities of the explosive decomposition front, the compression pulse, and the expansion of the explosion products were measured. Based on the results obtained, the possibility of the occurrence of preexplosion phenomena is discussed and the mechanism of laser initiation of heavy metal azides is analyzed.