Measurement of apparent temperature in post-detonation fireballs using atomic emission spectroscopy

The energy release dynamics of explosives are of ongoing interest, but the short timescales involved often limit the measurements that can be made during these processes. We have used atomic emission spectroscopy to measure the temperature of fireballs resulting from detonation of charges of Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine doped with barium nitrate. The time-averaged emission spectra indicate an apparent temperature of ∼3000 K, in good agreement with theoretical predictions. The technique demonstrated herein should be applicable to time-resolved studies, including those on detonation timescales.