Shock-induced transformation of Al2O3 and LiF into semiconducting liquids.

Abstract

Shock compression of sapphire (Al2O3) and lithium fluoride (LiF) to pressures above 5 Mbar has been observed to transform these transparent, wide band-gap insulators into partially degenerate liquid semiconductors with optical reflectivities of several percent. Reflectivities rise steadily with shock pressure up to 45% in sapphire at 20 Mbar and 20% in LiF at 13 Mbar. Using a simple model, the electron scattering length was inferred to be approximately the interatomic distance. In addition, several equation-of-state points at these pressures were measured.

• Authors: D G Hicks, P M Celliers, G W Collins, J H Eggert, S J Moon
• Journal: Physical review letters (Phys Rev Lett) Vol. 91 Issue 3 Pg. 035502 (Jul 18 2003) ISSN: 0031-9007 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12906427 (Publication Type: Journal Article)