Deformation and failure in extreme regimes by high-energy pulsed lasers: A review (original) (raw)

Atomistic deformation mechanism of silicon under laser-driven shock compression

Nature Communications

Silicon (Si) is one of the most abundant elements on Earth, and it is the most widely used semiconductor. Despite extensive study, some properties of Si, such as its behaviour under dynamic compression, remain elusive. A detailed understanding of Si deformation is crucial for various fields, ranging from planetary science to materials design. Simulations suggest that in Si the shear stress generated during shock compression is released via a high-pressure phase transition, challenging the classical picture of relaxation via defect-mediated plasticity. However, direct evidence supporting either deformation mechanism remains elusive. Here, we use sub-picosecond, highly-monochromatic x-ray diffraction to study (100)-oriented single-crystal Si under laser-driven shock compression. We provide the first unambiguous, time-resolved picture of Si deformation at ultra-high strain rates, demonstrating the predicted shear release via phase transition. Our results resolve the longstanding contro...

On the Generation of Stress and Deformation in Elastic Solids by High Powered Lasers

The various mechanisms by which stresses may be generated in an elastic solid by the absorption of laser energy are reviewed. Through the use of simplification and idealizations, analyses of the stresses generated by each mechanism are developed and discussed. The role of the mechanical boundary conditions on the stresses generated is given particular attention. In each case, emphasis is given to the prediction of failure times. (Author)