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SUITABILITY OF MAGNESIUM OXIDE AS A VISAR WINDOW

Conference ·
OSTI ID:935049

Impedance matching of a velocity interferometer for any reflector (VISAR) window to a material under study helps simplify a shock experiment by effectively allowing one to measure an in situ particle velocity. The shock impedance of magnesium oxide (MgO) falls roughly midway between those of sapphire and LiF, two of the most frequently used VISAR window materials. A series of symmetric impact experiments was performed to characterize the suitability of single crystal, (100) oriented magnesium oxide as a VISAR window material. These experiments yielded good results and show the viability of MgO as a VISAR window up to 23 GPa. Results were used to determine window correction factors and, subsequently, to estimate the pressure induced change in index of refraction. In many of the shots in this work we exceeded the Hugoniot elastic limit (HEL) of MgO, and both elastic and plastic waves are evident in the velocity profiles. The presence of both waves within the VISAR window complicates the typical VISAR window correction analysis. Preliminary analysis of the elastic and plastic contributions to the window correction is presented.

Research Organization:
Bechtel Nevada; Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC08-96NV11718
OSTI ID:
935049
Report Number(s):
DOE/NV/11718--1050
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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