Nonlinear Electromagnetic Interactions in Energetic Materials
Abstract
We study the scattering of electromagnetic waves in anisotropic energetic materials. Nonlinear light-matter interactions in molecular crystals result in frequency-conversion and polarization changes. Applied electromagnetic fields of moderate intensity can induce these nonlinear effects without triggering chemical decomposition, offering a mechanism for non-ionizing identification of explosives. We use molecular dynamics simulations to compute such two-dimensional Raman spectra in the terahertz range for planar slabs made of PETN and ammonium nitrate. We discuss third-harmonic generation and polarization-conversion processes in such materials. These observed far-field spectral features of the reflected or transmitted light may serve as an alternative tool for stand-off explosive detection.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1510.01297,
title = {Nonlinear Electromagnetic Interactions in Energetic Materials},
author = {M. A. Wood and D. A. R. Dalvit and D. S. Moore},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1510.01297},
year = {2016}
}
Comments
6 pages, 6 figures, LA-UR-15-27584