The laser-induced decomposition of TATB at static high pressure

The laser-induced decomposition of 1,3,5-triaminino 2,4,6-trinitro benzene (TATB) at static high-pressures to 2.0 GPa are investigated. Time-resolved UV-visible absorption is obtained with microsecond temporal resolution in the spectral range 270–800 nm. The observed absorbance band of TATB centered at 370 nm, and its decrease in intensity upon laser-initiation, is used to investigate the rate of reaction of TATB. At higher pressure, the rate of decomposition increases, while the induction time to reaction remains about 1.5 μs.