Exploring the phase state of ejected particles of cerium

Over the past decade and a half, the team has been developing an understanding of the equation of state for cerium. The experimental emphasis has been to explore the dynamic compression states of this complex material. There have been numerous shock experiments which had provided a deep understanding of dynamic properties across phase boundaries using gas gun driver systems. The team has published multiple papers showing how cerium transforms across phase boundaries and its dynamic response. In this paper, we continue this theme by presenting x-ray diffraction data on the ejected mass coming from machined grooves across the sample. Additionally, data of the ejected areal density, will also be presented from 9 GPa to 25 GPa. These in material shocked states ranges from slightly below the melt to well into the liquid state. The experiments were performed Argonne's Advanced Photon Source utilizing the Dynamic Compression Sector.