We present a new mechanism for Type Ia supernova explosions in massive white dwarfs. The proposed scenario follows from relaxing the assumption of symmetry in the model and involves a detonation created in an unconfined environment. The explosion begins with an essentially central ignition of stellar material initiating a deflagration. This deflagration results in the formation of a buoyantly-d...

This paper describes oneand two-dimensional numerical simulations, with simplified as well as full reaction kinetics, of a single cycle pulse detonation engine (PDE). Focus of the present studies is on 1) the presence of a nozzle extension at the end of the tube, and its effect on performance parameters as well as noise characteristics, 2) critical “spark ignition” energies associated with the ...

Detonation waves in insensitive, TATB based explosives are believed to have multi-time scale regimes. The initial burn rate of such explosives has a sub-microsecond time scale. However, significant late-time slow release in energy is believed to occur due to diffusion limited growth of carbon. In the intermediate time scale concentrations of product species likely change from being in equilibri...