Comparison of Barium and Amorphous Boron Pyrotechnics for Green Light Emission

Abstract A comparison of green light emission from both barium- and amorphous boron–based pyrotechnics is described. Emission spectra are shown for both the U.S. Army in-service M125A1 green star cluster formulation and an amorphous boron–potassium nitrate–binder formulation. The main peaks of the emission spectra, average dominant wavelength, and average spectral purity of both formulations are given. The role that combustion products play in determining flame temperature and continuum radiation is also discussed. Keywords: combustiongreen lightpyrotechnicspectroscopy Acknowledgments The authors thank the U.S. Army and Picatinny Arsenal for funding of this work. Notes This article not subject to U.S. copyright law.