Pulse techniques for experimental studies on carbon at extreme temperatures

Descriptions of the experimental methods and apparatus for investigations of the thermodynamic and optical properties of carbon are presented. It is stressed that the experimental difficulties in investigations at extremely high temperatures can be overcome in a combined study of different or similar properties using volume (slow electric explosion) and surface (laser) heating techniques. Special attention is given to the problem of high-speed pyrometry with millisecond to nanosecond time resolution. Some experimental results on properties of carbon up to 7000 K are presented. 9 refs., 8 figs.