Observation of Oblique Laser-Supported Detonation Wave Propagating in Atmospheric Air

Abstract

Elucidation of the propagation velocity of a laser-supported detonation (LSD) wave and its propagation mechanism is necessary for various engineering applications. This study was conducted to observe an oblique laser-supported detonation wave off the laser axis. The relation between the local laser intensity and detonation-wave propagation velocity was investigated. For this purpose, the time-space distribution of the laser intensity was measured precisely. The change of the LSD wavefront shape was visualized using an ultrahigh-speed camera. The relation between the local laser intensity and the propagation velocity of the oblique LSD wave measured off the laser axis was found to be identical to the relation between the local laser intensity and the detonation propagation velocity at the laser axis.

Keywords

• atmospheric discharge
• laser propulsion
• laser supported detonation
• oblique detonation