Feasibility study of an explosively formed transient antenna

The feasibility of utilizing the chemical energy stored in high explosives to generate an antenna capable of radiating for several microseconds is studied. Crucial parameters such as conductivity as a function of time, maximum achievable antenna length for given initial device volume and weight, and material dependence are assessed by sub microsecond optical and electrical diagnostics. By utilizing a rotating framing mirror camera with up to 4 Megaframes per second, which produces a color image sequence consisting of 125 frames, possible premature breakup of the transient antenna rod is measured with adequate spatial and temporal resolution, thus revealing a rod growth velocity of a few millimeters/microsecond. Electrical diagnostic, primarily aimed at the conductivity between selected points along the rod propagation, enables to make a connection with the observed behavior based on the optical diagnostics. Maintaining electrical contact at the base of the device while the rod is fully formed is crucial and will be discussed in detail.