[en] Shock-induced depoling of the ferroelectric ceramic PZT 95/5 is utilized in a number of pulsed power devices. Several experimental and theoretical efforts are in progress in order to improve numerical simulations of these devices. In this study we have examined the shock response of normally poled PZT 95/5 under uniaxial strain conditions. On each experiment the current produced in an external circuit and the transmitted waveform at a window interface were recorded. The peak electrical field generated within the PZT sample was varied through the choice of external circuit resistance. Shock pressures were varied from 0.6 to 4.6 GPa, and peak electrical fields were varied from 0.2 to 37 kV/cm. For a 2.4 GPa shock and the lowest peak field, a nearly constant current governed simply by the remanent polarization and the shock velocity was recorded. Both decreasing the shock pressure and increasing the electrical field resulted in reduced current generation, indicating a retardation of the depoling kinetics

[en] We are conducting a comprehensive experimental study of the electromechanical behavior of poled PZT 95/5 (lead zirconate titanate). As part of this study, eight plane-wave tests have been conducted on axially poled PZT 95/5 at stress levels ranging from 0.9 to 4.6 GPa, using VISAR and electrical diagnostics. Observed wave velocities were slightly decreased from ultrasonic velocity, by contrast' with unpoled samples. Compression waveforms show a step at 0.6 GPa more marked than for normally poled or unpoled samples; this may correspond to a poling effect on the ferroelectric/antiferroelectric transition. A similar step is observed on release. The released charge upon loading to 0.9 GPa is consistent with nearly complete depoling. Loading to higher stresses gave lower currents (factor of 10), suggesting shock-induced conductivity or electrical breakdown

[en] Measurements of Kanel et al. [1991] have suggested that deviatoric stresses in glasses shocked to nearly the Hugoniot Elastic Limit (HEL) relax over a time span of microseconds after initial loading. 'Failure' (damage) waves have been inferred on the basis of these measurements using time-resolved manganin normal and transverse stress gauges. Additional experiments on glass by other researchers, using time-resolved gauges, high-speed photography and spall strength determinations have also lead to the same conclusions. In the present study we have conducted transmitted-wave experiments on high-quality Coors AD995 alumina shocked to roughly 5 and 7 GPa (just below or at the HEL). The material is subsequently reshocked to just above its elastic limit. Results of these experiments do show some evidence of strength degradation in the elastic regime

[en] Recently an innovative technique known as the Isentropic Compression Experiment (ICE) was developed that allows the dynamic compressibility curve of a material to be measured in a single experiment. Hence, ICE significantly reduces the cost and time required for generating and validating theoretical models of dynamic material response. ICE has been successfully demonstrated on several materials using the 20 MA Z accelerator, resulting in a large demand for its use. The present project has demonstrated its use on another accelerator, Saturn. In the course of this study, Saturn was tailored to produce a satisfactory drive time structure, and instrumented to produce velocity data. Pressure limits are observed to be approximately 10-15 GPa (''LP'' configuration) or 40-50 GPa (''HP'' configuration), depending on sample material. Drive reproducibility (panel to panel within a shot and between shots) is adequate for useful experimentation, but alignment fixturing problems make it difficult to achieve the same precision as is possible at Z. Other highlights included the useful comparison of slightly different PZT and ALOX compositions (neutron generator materials), temperature measurement using optical pyrometry, and the development of a new technique for preheating samples. 28 ICE tests have been conducted at Saturn to date, including the experiments described herein

[en] We conducted three Hugoniot and release experiments on copper on the Z machine at Hugoniot stress levels of 0.34 and 2.6 TPa, using two-layer copper/aluminum impactors traveling at 8 and 27 km/s and Z-quartz windows. Velocity histories were recorded for 4 samples of different thicknesses and 5 locations on the flyer plate (3 and 4 for the first two experiments). On-sample measurements provided Hugoniot points (via transit time) and partial release states (via Z-quartz wavespeed). Fabrication of the impactor required thick plating and several diamond-machining steps. The lower-pressure test was planned as a 2.5 TPa test, but a failure on the Z machine degraded its performance; however, these results corroborated earlier Cu data in the same stress region. The second test suffered from significant flyer plate bowing, but the third did not. The Hugoniot data are compared with the APtshuler/Nellis nuclear-driven data, other data from Z and elsewhere, and representative Sesame models.

[en] Recently, LiF windows suspended close to the surface have been employed as a non-radiographic spall diagnostic. Calibration has typically used HE to shock metals to produce spall layers. Because the exact characteristics of these layers cannot be pre-determined, we are using a gas gun to test the accuracy and repeatability of the diagnostic. We impact a LiF or PMMA window in front of a VISAR probe with a projectile consisting of four thin stainless steel disks spaced apart 200 microns with either vacuum or polyethylene. The measured signature from the VISAR probe is compared with what is expected from the layered assembly traveling at the projectile's velocity