Perforating string with magnetohydrodynamic initiation transfer

A perforating system that transfers a detonation wave between adjacent perforating guns by converting shockwave energy to electrical energy. An explosive is provided on an end of a detonating cord that is coupled to shaped charges, so that a detonation wave traveling in the detonation cord will initiate detonation in the shaped charges and then in the high explosive. The explosive is disposed adjacent a pair of members that are energized so that a magnetic field is formed between the members. When the explosive detonates, the resulting shock wave pushes one of the members into the space between the members to compress the magnetic field. Compressing the magnetic field produces an electrical potential usable to initiate a detonation wave in another detonating cord for perpetuating the detonation wave along the perforating system.