Can an inert gas in a detention situation be used to ""dampen"" a sharp peak in detonation pressure and convert that peak into a more sustained pressure building?

Answered

Explanation:

Damping by inert gas is directly proportional to the molecular mass of inert gas.

Damping by inert gas is inversely proportional to the specific heat. One should consider specific heat at constant volume here as pressure will be varying. Since molecular mass is constant, the height of peak will be reduced proportional to the molecular mass. There is an increase in temperature during detonation of pressure.

Increase in temperature difference, decreases the specific heat and therefore increases the damping.