Abstract: In an embodiment, a photoinitiation apparatus includes: a set of illumination sources or elements configured for outputting optical energy; a body structure having a proximal body structure portion confining a proximal volume of explosive medium, an intermediate body structure portion confining an intermediate volume of explosive medium, and a distal body structure portion confining a distal volume of explosive medium, wherein the proximal volume of explosive medium is optically coupled to portions of the first volume of explosive medium, at least one of the proximal volume of explosive medium and the distal volume of explosive medium is a tertiary explosive medium, and (a) the body structure does not carry a primary explosive composition and does not carry a secondary explosive composition, and/or (b) each of the proximal, intermediate, and distal volumes of explosive media has an initiation sensitivity that is less than cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) based explosive compositions.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a photoinitiation apparatus includes: a set of illumination sources or elements configured for outputting optical energy; a body structure having a proximal body structure portion confining a proximal volume of explosive medium, an intermediate body structure portion confining an intermediate volume of explosive medium, and a distal body structure portion confining a distal volume of explosive medium, wherein the proximal volume of explosive medium is optically coupled to portions of the first volume of explosive medium, at least one of the proximal volume of explosive medium and the distal volume of explosive medium is a tertiary explosive medium, and (a) the body structure does not carry a primary explosive composition and does not carry a secondary explosive composition, and/or (b) each of the proximal, intermediate, and distal volumes of explosive media has an initiation sensitivity that is less than cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) based explosive compositions.

Abstract: An explosive device configured for outputting a quasi-planar shock wave includes: a body structure having a proximal end and an opposing distal end, and within which (a) an initiation device chamber; (b) a donor charge having a geometric shape correlated with first cone having an internal void exhibiting a geometric shape correlated with a second cone, wherein a first base of the first cone and a second base of the second cone reside in a common plane and have a common center point; (c) a non-explosive wave shaper filling the void; and (d) an acceptor charge are sequentially disposed adjacent to each other in a direction toward the distal end. Perpendicular to the central axis, a maximum lateral span of each of the wave shaper, the donor charge, and the acceptor charge coincide. The acceptor explosive charge mass does not laterally extend to a set of body structure outer walls.