Melting at the Limit of Superheating

Theories on superheating-melting mostly involve vibrational and mechanical instabilities, catastrophes of entropy, volume and rigidity, and nucleation-based kinetic models. The maximum achievable superheating is dictated by nucleation process of melt in crystals, which in turn depends on material properties and heating rates. We have established the systematics for maximum superheating by incorporating a dimensionless nucleation barrier parameter and heating rate, with which systematic molecular dynamics simulations and dynamic experiments are consistent. Detailed microscopic investigation with large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of the superheating-melting process, and structure-resolved ultrafast dynamic experiments are necessary to establish the connection between the kinetic limit of superheating and vibrational and mechanical instabilities, and catastrophe theories

Time-Resolved X-Ray Diffraction Investigation of Superheating-Melting of Crystals under Ultrafast Heating

The maximum superheating of a solid prior to melting depends on the effective dimensionless nucleation energy barrier, heterogeneities such as free surfaces and defects, and heating rates. Superheating is rarely achieved with conventional slow heating due to the dominant effect of heterogeneous nucleation. In present work, we investigate the superheating-melting behavior of crystals utilizing ultrafast heating techniques such as exploding wire and laser irradiation, and diagnostics such as time-resolved X-ray diffraction combined with simultaneous measurements on voltage and current (for exploding wire) and particle velocity (for laser irradiation). Experimental designs and preliminary results are presented

X-ray diffraction from shock-loaded polycrystals

X-ray diffraction was demonstrated from shock-compressed polycrystalline metal on nanosecond time scales. Laser ablation was used to induce shock waves in polycrystalline foils of Be, 25 to 125 microns thick. A second laser pulse was used to generate a plasma x-ray source by irradiation of a Ti foil. The x-ray source was collimated to produce a beam of controllable diameter, and the beam was directed at the Be sample. X-rays were diffracted from the sample, and detected using films and x-ray streak cameras. The diffraction angle was observed to change with shock pressure. The diffraction angles were consistent with the uniaxial (elastic) and isotropic (plastic) compressions expected for the loading conditions used. Polycrystalline diffraction will be used to measure the response of the crystal lattice to high shock pressures and through phase changes