Raman spectroscopy study of laser-shocked tatb-based explosives

We have developed a nanosecond single-shot Raman spectroscopy experiment to study the initiation and decomposition mechanisms of heterogeneous solid explosives under shock compression. The laser-driven flyer plate technique was used to generate shock waves on TATB-based explosives samples. Photon Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) measurements were performed to estimate the generated shock pressures. The first Raman spectra obtained under shock compression are presented here. The shifts observed for the different Raman peaks are consistent with those observed under static pressure.