Ultrafast X-Ray Diffraction Studies of the Phase Transitions and Equation of State of Scandium Shock Compressed to 82 GPa

R Briggs, M G Gorman, A L Coleman, R S McWilliams, E E McBride, D McGonegle, J S Wark, L Peacock, S Rothman, S G Macleod, C A Bolme, A E Gleason, G W Collins, J H Eggert, D E Fratanduono, R F Smith, E Galtier, E Granados, H J Lee, B NaglerI Nam, Z Xing, M I McMahon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Using x-ray diffraction at the Linac Coherent Light Source x-ray free-electron laser, we have determined simultaneously and self-consistently the phase transitions and equation of state (EOS) of the lightest transition metal, scandium, under shock compression. On compression scandium undergoes a structural phase transition between 32 and 35 GPa to the same bcc structure seen at high temperatures at ambient pressures, and then a further transition at 46 GPa to the incommensurate host-guest polymorph found above 21 GPa in static compression at room temperature. Shock melting of the host-guest phase is observed between 53 and 72 GPa with the disappearance of Bragg scattering and the growth of a broad asymmetric diffraction peak from the high-density liquid.

Original languageEnglish
Article number025501
Pages (from-to)1-6
Number of pages6
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume118
Issue number2
Early online date9 Jan 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Jan 2017

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • HIGH-PRESSURE
  • METALS
  • MATTER
  • IRON

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