Development and Use of Small Tellurium Gauges for Laboratory Scale Studies of Underwater Shock Waves

摘要

To realize the benefits of small scale laboratory studies of the propagation of underwater shock waves, gauges having high frequency response and high resolving power are required. This report describes the development and current fabrication of 1/16 inch diameter solid state (Tellurium) gauges for this purpose. Chemically Pure Tellurium was refined, and suitably doped with Antimony or Bismuth, to minimize the effect of temperature upon the pressure sensitivity of its electrical resistance. Small sintered pellets of this material with platinum electrodes, serve successfully as transducers for shock waves generated by number 6 Electric Blasting caps in a special nylon tank in the laboratory. The equipment records shock pressures ranging between 3 and 300 PSI, with time bases between 50 microseconds and 100 milliseconds or longer, and will resolve wave details as short as 2 microseconds duration. Calibration and reliability experience of the gauges is discussed, and the design of the tank and electronic equipment is described. (Author)