A method of fabricating an opto-pyrotechnic initiator, includes a) forming a body having a cavity in which a pyrotechnic charge is to be received, the body also having an internal passage extending between the cavity containing the pyrotechnic charge and an inlet opening out in an outside face of the body; b) placing a first portion of an optical fiber in the internal passage of the body, with a second portion of the optical fiber extending beyond the inlet of the body, and a glass preform being interposed between the optical fiber and the inlet of the body; and c) applying heat treatment to the glass preform to raise the glass preform to a temperature higher than the melting point of the glass preform so as to form a hermetic sealing element made of glass between the optical fiber and the inlet of the body.

Detonation control modules and detonation control circuits are provided herein. A trigger input signal can cause a detonation control module to trigger a detonator. A detonation control module can include a timing circuit, a light-producing diode such as a laser diode, an optically triggered diode, and a high-voltage capacitor. The trigger input signal can activate the timing circuit. The timing circuit can control activation of the light-producing diode. Activation of the light-producing diode illuminates and activates the optically triggered diode. The optically triggered diode can be coupled between the high-voltage capacitor and the detonator. Activation of the optically triggered diode causes a power pulse to be released from the high-voltage capacitor that triggers the detonator.

Detonation control modules and detonation control circuits are provided herein. A trigger input signal can cause a detonation control module to trigger a detonator. A detonation control module can include a timing circuit, a light-producing diode such as a laser diode, an optically triggered diode, and a high-voltage capacitor. The trigger input signal can activate the timing circuit. The timing circuit can control activation of the light-producing diode. Activation of the light-producing diode illuminates and activates the optically triggered diode. The optically triggered diode can be coupled between the high-voltage capacitor and the detonator. Activation of the optically triggered diode causes a power pulse to be released from the high-voltage capacitor that triggers the detonator.

An opto-thermal laser detonator uses resonantly absorptive tuned nano-material associated with secondary explosives for optical absorption and initiation by an integral laser diode. The opto-thermal laser detonator includes main explosive material; resonantly absorptive tuned nano-material; secondary explosive material, wherein the resonantly absorptive tuned nano-material and the secondary explosive material are associated to form associated material made of the resonantly absorptive tuned nano-material and the secondary explosive material; and a laser diode operatively connected to the associated material, wherein the laser diode initiates the associated material which in turn initiates the main explosive material.

An opto-thermal laser detonator uses resonantly absorptive tuned nano-material associated with secondary explosives for optical absorption and initiation by an integral laser diode. The opto-thermal laser detonator includes main explosive material; resonantly absorptive tuned nano-material; secondary explosive material, wherein the resonantly absorptive tuned nano-material and the secondary explosive material are associated to form associated material made of the resonantly absorptive tuned nano-material and the secondary explosive material; and a laser diode operatively connected to the associated material, wherein the laser diode initiates the associated material which in turn initiates the main explosive material.

The invention relates to sealable short-pathlength liquid transmission cells for Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy applications. In exemplary embodiments, a liquid transmission cell with transmissions sections uses horizontal tubing for inserting and removing fluids from the cell. Angling the tubing relative to a top face of the cell allows small amounts of entrapped air to rise out of the optical path without blocking spectroscopy measurements. The tubing is silver-soldered to the body of the transmission cell to make a leak-free connection.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for modifying or amplifying explosive devices through electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Exemplary embodiments provide increased energy density to an explosive reaction zone to allow increased blast overpressures, detonation velocity, and energy release without changing the explosive materials or quantity of explosives. An exemplary embodiment irradiates a reaction zone immediately before an explosive detonates to modify the explosive properties of an explosive device. Exemplary embodiments utilize automated targeting of EMR sources for precise modification of explosions with standardized and predictable effects.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for modifying or amplifying explosive devices through electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Exemplary embodiments provide increased energy density to an explosive reaction zone to allow increased blast overpressures, detonation velocity, and energy release without changing the explosive materials or quantity of explosives. An exemplary embodiment irradiates a reaction zone immediately before an explosive detonates to modify the explosive properties of an explosive device. Exemplary embodiments utilize automated targeting of EMR sources for precise modification of explosions with standardized and predictable effects.

The present invention relates to a platform for testing collisions or near-collision situations between a collision body, in particular a vehicle, and a test object. The platform has a base body, which has a bottom surface and an attachment surface formed opposite to the bottom surface, wherein an attachment device is formed on the attachment surface for attaching the test object. Furthermore, the platform has at least one roller element, which is arranged at the bottom surface, wherein the roller element is configured such that the base body is displaceable along a ground by the roller element. The base body is formed of an elastically deformable material having a thickness of less than 2500 kg/m.sup.3.

An explosive system for fracturing an underground geologic formation adjacent to a wellbore can comprise a plurality of explosive units comprising an explosive material contained within the casing, and detonation control modules electrically coupled to the plurality of explosive units and configured to cause a power pulse to be transmitted to at least one detonator of at least one of the plurality of explosive units for detonation of the explosive material. The explosive units are configured to be positioned within a wellbore in spaced apart positions relative to one another along a string with the detonation control modules positioned adjacent to the plurality of explosive units in the wellbore, such that the axial positions of the explosive units relative to the wellbore are at least partially based on geologic properties of the geologic formation adjacent the wellbore.