Athermal initiation of detonation of silver and lead azides by impulses of fast electrons

Published data on the initiation of the detonation of explosives by a single impulse of energy (impact, friction, spark or light beam) have been analyzed, using the heat theory of detonation. Supported by experimental work on the initiation of the detonation of explosives by an impulse of fast electrons, a model to describe the athermal initiation of the detonation of silver and lead azides by a dense beam of fast electrons is considered. It is proposed that in this case, the seat of initiation is in the region with a highly excited electron subsystem, formed by the concentration of free electrons and holes, generated by the radiation.