Abstract: A method and a system for obtaining spectroscopic data of a single photon of a given energy that undergoes an interaction, beginning at a given point in time, with a room-temperature solid state detector of a given thickness and fitted with two electrodes, which detection is held at a given bias by a voltage applied to the electrodes. In the course of the interaction, pairs of electrons and holes are created within the solid state detector which induce charge on the electrodes; the method and system enable for determination of a current induced by the electrons, being a measurable and quite accurate parameter for deducing spectroscopic data. The electron induced current is defined as the charge induced on the electrodes due to the electrons only, divided by the time it takes the electrons to induce this charge. The mentioned time is considered equal to that of a particular portion of a signal of the complete induced charge, and both the time and the charge are determined by the method and the system.

Abstract: Improved method and means for the detection of nitrogenous material or assaying of nitrogenous material in an object on the basis of nuclear resonant attenuation of 9.17 MeV .gamma.-rays. A target in form of one or several .sup.13 C pellets at least 25.mu. thick, or alternatively in form of a body that bears a composite thin film including at least one .sup.13 C layer not more than 1.mu. thick and at least one other substance that is capable of generating supplementary .gamma.-radiation for determining the non-resonant component of attenuation, is bombarded with 1.75 MeV protons to produce a source of 9.17 MeV .gamma.-rays. The target is placed on one side of the inspected object and a .gamma.-ray detector or an array of such detectors is placed on the other side and the total and non-resonant attenuation are read and evaluated.

Abstract: A gun for accelerating projectiles in which the travelling chemical charges are ignited by electrothermal energy sources. By one mode there are provided electrothermal energy injectors along the gun barrel which are fired synchronously with the displacement of the projectile within the barrel, each such injector igniting a distinct chemical propellant charge attached to the projectile. Essentially that mode of the gun operates by the travelling charge principle in which the boosting of the thrust on the projectile is brought about by successively ignited propellant charges attached to the projectile itself while the electrothermal energy injectors on the barrel serve for ignition only.By an alternative mode a plasma injector unit is mounted at the rear of the gun coaxially with the barrel and the injected plasma acts via fluid to initiate the chemical propellant and enhances the chemical propellant burning rate to improve the gun performance.

Abstract: A method for the detection of a nitrogenous explosive material in an object is provided which makes use of nuclear resonance absorption. The object to be tested is placed between a 9.17 MeV .gamma.-rays source and an .gamma.-rays detector holding a nitrogen medium. The total and the non-resonant attenuation of the .gamma.-rays flux is read by the detector and fed into a recorder. From the measured attenuation the net non-resonant attenuation is calculated and the amount of a nitrogenous explosive present in the object is determined therefrom.Also provided by the invention is a system for detecting a nitrogenous explosive in an object.