Abstract: Using the loading technique of electrical explosion of metallic foil driving the polyester film flyer to produce short-duration pulse shock wave, the shock initiation characteristics of a TATB/HMX based explosive were studied according to the DRM (delayed Robbins-Monro) test procedure. Both the shock initiation thresholds under the condition of 50% initiation probability and the minimum initiation thresholds under the condition of 100% initiation probability were obtained. And by means of the diagnostic technique of optical fibre probe, optical-electrical converter, and digital oscillograph and the method of cylindrical wedges of explosive material, the run distance to detonation was measured as a function of initial shock pressure in the studied explosive , and the effect of pulse duration on the initiation and growth to detonation characteristics was considered. The results in the form of Pop plots were presented.