Modular, High Precision, Digital Measurement System for Hypervelocity Projectiles

The high penetration power of X-rays permit imaging through smoke, fire and metal, and enables precise recording of a test event under the harshest conditions. The advent of high flux flash x-ray systems has enabled a unique method of imaging very fast events on a 20 to 50 nanosecond scale that cannot be captured using normal photographic techniques. As such this technique is well suited for, and is used for, tracking hypervelocity projectiles. Unfortunately, current film based systems are non-real time, require elaborate calibration, occupy large space in the experimental chamber, need excessive process time, and are prone to errors in data analysis. To address these issues we propose to develop a high precision, large area, digital X-ray imaging system based on a novel scintillator, a high-resolution readout, and finely focused, flash X-ray sources. Two orthogonally oriented systems will instantaneously measure projectile orientation parameters with a high degree of accuracy. All the system components will be portable, rugged, and modular, and will be located external to the chamber thereby minimizing the space and access time requirements. The Phase I research will demonstrate the feasibility of the core technology and will provide a detailed plan for the Phase II system development.