Formation of detonation wave upon condensation of supersaturated carbon vapor

The results are given of observation of a fundamentally novel phenomenon, namely, the formation of detonation wave of condensation. Experiments are performed behind shock waves in mixture containing $10$–$30$ $\%$ carbon suboxide C$_3$O$_2$ in argon. The release of the energy of condensation of highly supersaturated carbon vapor formed upon instantaneous thermal decomposition of carbon suboxide C$_3$O$_2\to $C $+$ $2$CO behind the wave front leads to the amplification of shock wave and its transition to the detonation mode.