Laser initiation of PETN

We studied experimentally the initiation of PETN with a dispersity of 3700–22,000 cm$^2$/kg and a density of 0.6–1.3 g/cm$^3$ by a laser ($\lambda$ = 1.06 $\mu$m and $\tau$ = 40 nsec). Data processing was based on dimensional analysis of the process and study of the phenomena accompanying initiation (crater formation and sudden change in optical characteristics). This made it possible to describe empirically the complex dependence of the threshold initiation energy of PETN on its density and dispersity, the irradiation-zone diameter, and the acoustic impedance of a transparent base plate. The mechanism of laser initiation of PETN is considered.