EQUATION OF STATE OF ALUMINUM NITRIDE AND ITS SHOCK RESPONSE

Equation of state of aluminum nitride (AIN) is determined from the ult rasonic wave velocity measurements of longitudinal and shear modes to 0.7 GPa. The equation of state obtained from the ultrasonic data is us ed in conjunction with the shock Hugoniot data on AIN to estimate its strength under plane shock wave compression. Further, a better underst anding of the existing shock Hugoniot data above its transition stress from wurtzite to rock salt structure is realized through a comparison with the static high-pressure investigations pertaining to this phase transition in AlN.