Quantifying Motion Blur by Imaging Shock Front Propagation

Time-integrated (multiple pulse or longer-time continuous exposure) radiography using MeV Bremsstrahlung x-ray sources is the norm for imaging during system-level testing of components and structures under dynamic conditions. In large scale, dynamic, MeV range experiments, sources of error in the analysis of these datasets stem largely from motion blur. Time-integration very quickly starts to become a problem if the motion (of the compression front) during the additive time and the spatial resolution demanded in the dynamic event become commensurate. In a prelude to applying our methodology to larger scale experiments, we first aim to quantify motion blur on a well understood, small scale experiment, utilizing gas gun capabilities at The Advanced Photon Source’s Dynamic Compression Sector. Both plane wave and reverberating shock wave propagation were investigated experimentally to quantify motion blur and test the validity of our state-of-the-art radiography and hydrodynamic simulation codes.