Carbon hugoniot at megabar pressures driven by laser-induced shocks

Experiments on the Equation of State (EOS) of Carbon were performed at the PALS and LULl laboratories. We used Carbon samples with two different value of initial density, in order to explore a wider region of the phase diagram. We obtain experimental data for carbon Hugoniot at Megabar pressures induced by laser-driven shock waves. The target rear side eniissivity due to the shock unloading was recorded from > targets (Al-C) with space and time resolution. By applying the impedance mismatch method, a direct determination of relative EOS points was obtained. Experimental data are compared with previous experiments and with theoretical models. Our results indicate a higher compressibility of carbon at Megabar pressures compared to theoretical models.© (2004) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.