Publications
Shock Response of Diamond Crystals
Sandia is investigating the shock response of single-crystal diamond up to several Mbar pressure in a collaborative effort with the Institute for Shock Physics (ISP) at Washington State University (WSU). This is project intended to determine (i) the usefulness of diamond as a window material for high pressure velocity interferometry measurements, (ii) the maximum stress level at which diamond remains transparent in the visible region, (iii) if a two-wave structure can be detected and analyzed, and if so, (iv) the Hugoniot elastic limit (HEL) for the [110] orientation of diamond. To this end experiments have been designed and performed, scoping the shock response in diamond in the 2-3 Mbar pressure range using conventional velocity interferometry techniques (conventional VISAR diagnostic). In order to perform more detailed and highly resolved measurements, an improved line-imaging VISAR has been developed and experiments using this technique have been designed. Prior to performing these more detailed experiments, additional scoping experiments are being performed using conventional techniques at WSU to refine the experimental design.