Editing Exploding-bridgewire detonator (section)

==Firing system==
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The EBW and the slapper detonator are the safest known types of detonators, as only a very high-current fast-rise pulse can successfully trigger them. However, they require a bulky power source for the current surges required. The extremely short rise times are usually achieved by discharging a low-[[inductance]], high-capacitance, high-voltage [[capacitor]] (e.g., oil-filled, Mylar-foil, or ceramic) through a suitable switch ([[spark gap]], [[thyratron]], [[krytron]], etc.) into the bridge wire. A very rough approximation for the capacitor is  a rating of 5 kilovolts and 1 microfarad, and the peak current ranges between 500 and 1000 amperes.<ref name=Cooper /> The high voltage may be generated using a [[Marx generator]]. Low-[[electrical impedance|impedance]] capacitors and low-impedance [[coaxial cable]]s are required to achieve the necessary current rise rate.

The [[flux compression generator]] is one alternative to capacitors. When fired, it creates a strong [[electromagnetic pulse]], which is inductively coupled into one or more secondary coils connected to the bridge wires or slapper foils. A low energy density capacitor equivalent to a compression generator would be roughly the size of a soda can. The energy in such a capacitor would be {{frac|1|2}}·C·V{{sup|2}}, which for the above-mentioned capacitor is 12.5&nbsp;J. (By comparison, a defibrillator delivers ~200&nbsp;J from 2&nbsp;kV and perhaps 20&nbsp;μF.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://class.phys.psu.edu/251Recitations/02_Electric_Potential/Capacitance/Capacitance-Defibrillator.pdf |title=Capacitance and Currents — Defibrillator |access-date=2011-05-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813164037/http://class.phys.psu.edu/251Recitations/02_Electric_Potential/Capacitance/Capacitance-Defibrillator.pdf |archive-date=2011-08-13 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The flash-strobe in a disposable camera is typically 3&nbsp;J from a 300&nbsp;V capacitor of 100&nbsp;μF.)

In a fission bomb, the same or similar circuit is used for powering the [[neutron generator]], the initial source of [[nuclear fission|fission neutron]]s.