Induced currents on electric detonators for improvised explosive device pre-detonation

Electric hotwire detonators are commonly used in the construction of improvised explosive devices. This paper explores the electromagnetic susceptibility of a commercial detonator when it is exposed to continuous wave, linearly-polarized plane wave radiation. The aim is to assess the feasibility of inducing sufficient current in the detonator to cause its explosion. For selected lead wire configurations, analytical formulae are used to predict the resonant frequencies of the detonators. Computer modeling is then used to simulate the induced current on the detonator's bridge wire during electromagnetic illumination. The predictions are compared with experimental measurements of induced current on commercial detonators.