Abstract: A propellant sample combustion apparatus employing a multiply optical ported pressure vessel for sample illumination, sample viewing, and sample burn face elevation is described. High-speed motion picture filming using short-duration high-intensity laser provided optical illumination from a copper-vapor laser is employed. Details of the employed pressure vessel, a burn inhibiting coating for the propellant sample, a laser coherence spoiler, and a sample level maintaining closed-loop apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A propellant sample combustion apparatus employing a multiply optical ported pressure vessel for sample illumination, sample viewing, and sample burn face elevation is described. High-Speed motion picture filming using short-duration high-intensity laser provided optical illumination from a copper-vapor laser is employed. Details of the employed pressure vessel, a burn inhibiting coating for the propellant sample, a laser coherance spoiler, and a sample level maintaining closed-loop apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A trigger circuit arrangement for controlling the operation of a metal vapor laser in conjuction with a high-speed motion picture camera. The disclosed circuit accommodates acceleration, deceleration, speed jitter, and the desired presence of marker images in the camera system while also accommodating temperature maintenance, double triggering prohibition, moderate trigger pulse energy requirements, and accurate synchronization requirements in the laser. The disclosed circuit employs conventional electronic components principally of the CMOS integrated circuit type, and utilizes magnetic transducer sensing of film transport movement.

Abstract: A precise position control for maintaining the burn face of a propellant sample within a precise optical depth of field positional range during burn face recession that may be non-uniform in nature. The position control employs an array of laser excited binary signal optical sensors with closed loop digital and analog electronic signal processing.