Experiments and Simulations of Shocked and Ramp-Compressed Metals

In this report, we present data from a series of shock and ramp-compression experiments on various metals including tantalum, iron, and tin. We used graded density impactors (GDIs) to design compression pathways reaching as high as 5 Mbars. To analyze these data, we utilize both backward (characteristics) and forward analyses. The former method does not require a priori knowledge of the pressure drive but often fails in the presence of material strength or phase transitions. By employing simulations in the analysis of these experiments, we can reduce experimental uncertainty while both correcting for and gaining better understanding of phase transition and strength effects during ramp compression. We will also report on recent simulation efforts to optimize GDI design and manufacture for equation of state experiments and to refine criteria for GDI quality assurance.
This work performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.