Explosive fireballs: Never-before-seen insight

Science Daily  September 3, 2019 A team of researchers in the US (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, University of Arizona, industry, University of Illinois) used swept-wavelength external cavity quantum cascade laser (swept-ECQCL), a special type of infrared laser, to sweep the laser beam through the chamber containing four types of high-energy explosives. They measured changes as the infrared light was absorbed by molecules in the fireball. Detailed analysis of the results provided the investigators with information about temperature and concentrations of the substances throughout the explosive event. They were also able to measure absorption and emission of infrared light from tiny […]