CARBON PHASE-TRANSITION BY DYNAMIC SHOCK COMPRESSION OF A COPPER GRAPHITE POWDER MIXTURE

Shock compression of a copper/graphite powder mixture was conducted. T he shock - treated sample was characterized by micro - Raman spectrosc opy and optical/electron microscopy. Cubic diamond in small quantities was detected. Synthesis of two cubic phases of carbon was determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was proposed that they o riginated via solid - vapor - solid (SVS) or solid - vapor - liquid - solid (SVLS) sequences of phase transformation. Copper may not merely be a coolant to rapidly quench the shock - loaded carbon, but also act as a physical and chemical reaction partner.