Detection of Strong Shock Waves with Plastic Tapes

Abstract
A simple and inexpensive method for detecting the arrival of a strong shock wave at a surface is described. A thin layer of plastic tape produces a short duration current pulse when subjected to a plane shock wave. When a layer of plastic tape approximately 0.1 mm thick is fastened between an aluminum plate and a copper electrode, a 150 kilobar shock wave propagating from the aluminum into the tape produces a 10 V pulse across a 50 Ω load from an electroded area of 1.25 cm2.

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