X-ray flash diffraction study of shock phase transitions in zirconium and bismuth

Flash x-ray diffraction patterns of polycrystalline zirconium and single-crystal bismuth were obtained at moment of shock loading of samples. Exposure time was 0.2–0.3 μs. Zirconium samples were studied at pressures 50, 95, 150 and 290 kbar. At P=50 and 95 kbar initial α-phase structure was observed. At P=150 and 290 kbar diffraction patterns have changed, but their interpretation is difficult. At free surface of zirconium sample, after arrival of shock wave with 120 kbar intensity and release beginning, the α and ω phases mixture was observed. Single crystals of bismuth with their surfaces oriented parallel to crystal planes (111) and (110) were studied. Shock waves loaded them perpendicularly to these surfaces. At a pressure of 67 kbar, the crystal structure of high pressure phase Bi-V was registered.