Diffuse Reflectance Spectra of Energetic Material,

The diffuse reflectance spectra of pure, solid HNS, TNT, HMX, RDX and PETN have been recorded. These spectra reveal that all of the high explosives HE have strong absorption profiles in the UV region of the spectrum and much weaker absorption in the visiblenear infrared. The influence of particle size on the diffuse reflectance spectra has also been investigated. Reducing the particle size leads to a blue shift of the diffuse reflectance spectrum. The strength of the absorption of the pure HE in the UV region obscures details in the absorption profile. Dilution of the HE with a strong reflector was used to reduce the magnitude of the absorption and allow the UV absorption to be revealed in detail. Chemical interaction between the diluent and HE reduces the general applicability of this approach. jg