Abstract
We present evidence for phase transitions in shock-compressed bismuth using the SPEDX x-ray diffraction technique. Experiments were performed on the Vulcan laser at the Central Laser Facility, RAL, Didcot, UK. We observed diffraction from the (110) bcc peak of Bi-V, and from its calculated lattice parameter the pressure was determined to be approximately 17 GPa. Upon further compression (higher laser intensities), no further diffraction from solid phases was observed. Shock melting of bismuth is thought to occur between 18 and 27 GPa. Diffraction results at lower pressures as a function of delay time are also presented.
Highlights
Dynamic compression of materials using high-power lasers allows access to extreme P-T states that lie well beyond the current limits of diamond anvil cell techniques
We present evidence for phase transitions in shock-compressed bismuth using the Single photon energy dispersive X-ray diffraction (SPEDX) x-ray diffraction technique
Laser facilities such as the National Ignition Facility are capable of compressing samples to 10s of megabars (> 1 TPa), whilst ensuring that the sample remains sufficiently cool to investigate solid-solid phase transitions [1]
Summary
Dynamic compression of materials using high-power lasers allows access to extreme P-T states that lie well beyond the current limits of diamond anvil cell techniques. Laser facilities such as the National Ignition Facility are capable of compressing samples to 10s of megabars (> 1 TPa), whilst ensuring that the sample remains sufficiently cool to investigate solid-solid phase transitions [1]. Two X-ray CCDs record the diffraction at different Bragg angles, with each camera covering a wide range of k-space, allowing for recording of a significant number of Bragg peaks arising from the sample’s crystal structure
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