Diode laser ignition of explosive and pyrotechnic components

The Laser Diode Ignition (LDI) program at Sandia Laboratories has as its objective the development of optically ignited analogs to the presently used low energy, hot wire igniters, DDT detonators, and actuators. In our concept, optical energy would be transmitted from a diode laser to the explosive or pyrotechnic power via a fiber optic. The laser energy is coupled to the energetic powder through a hermetically sealed optical feedthrough in the charge cavity. Optical ignition has many advantages, most of which are related to the removal of electrical leads to the powder interface. This eliminates concerns such as sensitivity to electrostatic discharge and electromagnetic radiation, conductance after fire, and isolation resistance. The optical interface would also not have the corrosion tendency that has occasionally been a problem with bridgewires. Another convenient property of diode laser sources is that the current and voltage needed to drive them are quite similar to those now applied to bridgewires for hot wire ignition. Therefore LDI devices would have an overall electrical requirement which is nearly identical to that of the hot wire components they are replacing.