Different mechanisms of detonation initiation: Academician Fortov's “evergreen theme”

Among the extremely wide range of interests of Academician V.E. Fortov throughout his life, a special place was occupied by the problems of detonation. This review reflects a large series of studies of various detonation initiation mechanisms carried out on the ideas and under Fortov's direct supervision. The so-called light detonation waves and detonation waves during the destruction of superconductors are briefly mentioned. The results of studies on nonequilibrium detonation initiation by high-energy collisions in the shock wave front and due to quantum effects at elevated pressures are presented in more detail. However, the results of the study of a new physical phenomenon, the detonation condensation wave, first discovered according to Fortov's ideas during the chemical condensation of unstable molecules behind the shock wave front, are described most fully and in detail. In the final part of the review, Fortov's ideas and proposals on the practical use of the detonation condensation wave for the development of a new, environmentally friendly energy cycle that excludes the emission of carbon oxides are presented.