Progress on Laser-Induced Decomposition of Explosives Investigated by Spectroscopic Methods

Abstract: In an effort to get detailed information and provide insight into the basic physical process and elementary chemical reaction involved in laser-induced reactions in explosives, different research methods, including laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), mass spectrometry (MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), fluorescence spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, etc., have been used to investigate the laser-induced photodecomposition of explosives experimentally. These kinds of experiments based on interactions of explosives with a laser might provide a unique contribution to solve the complex problem of combustion and detonation of laser ignition. The review is concerned with studies on laser-induced decomposition of typical explosives (nitrate esters, aromatic nitro compounds, and nitramines).