Patent ID: 7474842

Claim:
A detonator apparatus, comprising: an enclosure that substantially encompasses a volume of gas, said enclosure having an inner surface and an outer surface, at least a major portion of said inner surface being highly reflective, said enclosure being substantially gas-tight; a layer of explosive material that is positioned along at least a portion of the outer surface of said enclosure; an elongated member that is positioned substantially within said volume; at least one light source mounted to said elongated member, said at least one light source being powered by electricity, said at least one light source being positioned so that, when energized, it emits radiant energy that is directed substantially toward said highly reflective portion of the inner surface of said enclosure; wherein: (a) when energized, said at least one light source emits radiant energy, much of which is reflected by said highly reflective portion of the inner surface of said enclosure, which thereby increases an effect of raising a temperature of said gas within the volume; (b) as the temperature of said gas is raised, a temperature of said enclosure is raised; (c) as the temperature of said enclosure is raised, a temperature of said layer of explosive material is raised; and (d) when said layer of explosive material reaches a predetermined ignition temperature, it detonates.