DUAL-BEAM, DOUBLE-PASS ABSORPTION-SPECTROSCOPY OF SHOCKED MATERIALS

We describe a new method for performing dual-beam, double-pass absorption spectroscopic studies of shocked fluids and solids at ultrahigh pressures. This method can provide high time and spectral resolution of the opacity of shocked materials. It uses a multichannel fiber-optic-coupled system. Two kinds of detectors are used: photomultipliers provide high time resolution in a set of narrow wavelength bands, and a gated, intensified, linear diode-array detector yields a ''snapshot'' spectrum with high resolution. Applications to the study of shock-induced chemical reactions are described. We briefly describe related applications using this method and apparatus.