Triggering of high-speed cameras and other devices using inexpensive plastic fiber opto-link components

Triggering of instrumentation devices is crucial for successful recordings of high speed events, e.g. in experimental work on terminal ballistics and explosives. In harsh electromagnetic environments,, where reliable triggering may become a problem, opto fiber transmission links are attractive alternatives. Plastic fiber opto link components are, in our experience, very easy to use not only for signal transmission but also for detection of different experimental events. This paper describes simple, yet reliable, methods which have been used with flash radiography systems and an Imacon model 790 high speed camera.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.