Dynamic pressure-induced dendritic and shock crystal growth of ice VI

Time-resolved Raman spectroscopy for monitoring the structural evolution of materials during rapid compression

Rapid compression experiments performed using a dynamic diamond anvil cell (dDAC) offer the opportunity to study compression rate-dependent phenomena, which provide critical knowledge of the phase transition kinetics of materials. However, direct probing of the structure evolution of materials is scarce and so far limited to the synchrotron based x-ray diffraction technique. Here, we present a time-resolved Raman spectroscopy technique to monitor the structural evolutions in a subsecond time resolution. Instead of applying a shutter-based synchronization scheme in previous work, we directly coupled and synchronized the spectrometers with the dDAC, providing sequential Raman data over a broad pressure range. The capability and versatility of this technique are verified by in situ observation of the phase transition processes of three rapid compressed samples. Not only the phase transition pressures but also the transition pathways are reproduced with good accuracy. This approach has the potential to serve as an important complement to x-ray diffraction applied to study the kinetics of phase transitions occurring on time scales of seconds and above.

Simultaneous measurements of volume, pressure, optical images, and crystal structure with a dynamic diamond anvil cell: A real-time event monitoring system

The dynamic diamond anvil cell (dDAC) technique has attracted great interest because it possibly provides a bridge between static and dynamic compression studies with fast, repeatable, and controllable compression rates. The dDAC can be a particularly useful tool to study the pathways and kinetics of phase transitions under dynamic pressurization if simultaneous measurements of physical quantities are possible as a function of time. We here report the development of a real-time event monitoring (RTEM) system with dDAC, which can simultaneously record the volume, pressure, optical image, and structure of materials during dynamic compression runs. In particular, the volume measurement using both Fabry-Pérot interferogram and optical images facilitates the construction of an equation of state (EoS) using the dDAC in a home-laboratory. We also developed an in-line ruby pressure measurement (IRPM) system to be deployed at a synchrotron x-ray facility. This system provides simultaneous measurements of pressure and x-ray diffraction in low and narrow pressure ranges. The EoSs of ice VI obtained from the RTEM and the x-ray diffraction data with the IRPM are consistent with each other. The complementarity of both RTEM and IRPM systems will provide a great opportunity to scrutinize the detailed kinetic pathways of phase transitions using dDAC.

Melting domain size and recrystallization dynamics of ice revealed by time-resolved x-ray scattering

The phase transition between water and ice is ubiquitous and one of the most important phenomena in nature. Here, we performed time-resolved x-ray scattering experiments capturing the melting and recrystallization dynamics of ice. The ultrafast heating of ice I is induced by an IR laser pulse and probed with an intense x-ray pulse which provided us with direct structural information on different length scales. From the wide-angle x-ray scattering (WAXS) patterns, the molten fraction, as well as the corresponding temperature at each delay, were determined. The small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) patterns, together with the information extracted from the WAXS analysis, provided the time-dependent change of the size and the number of liquid domains. The results show partial melting (~13%) and superheating of ice occurring at around 20 ns. After 100 ns, the average size of the liquid domains grows from about 2.5 nm to 4.5 nm by the coalescence of approximately six adjacent domains. Subsequently, we capture the recrystallization of the liquid domains, which occurs on microsecond timescales due to the cooling by heat dissipation and results to a decrease of the average liquid domain size.

Liquid metal synthesis solvents for metallic crystals

In nature, snowflake ice crystals arrange themselves into diverse symmetrical six-sided structures. We show an analogy of this when zinc (Zn) dissolves and crystallizes in liquid gallium (Ga). The low-melting-temperature Ga is used as a "metallic solvent" to synthesize a range of flake-like Zn crystals. We extract these metallic crystals from the liquid metal solvent by reducing its surface tension using a combination of electrocapillary modulation and vacuum filtration. The liquid metal-grown crystals feature high morphological diversity and persistent symmetry. The concept is expanded to other single and binary metal solutes and Ga-based solvents, with the growth mechanisms elucidated through ab initio simulation of interfacial stability. This strategy offers general routes for creating highly crystalline, shape-controlled metallic or multimetallic fine structures from liquid metal solvents.

Compression rate of dynamic diamond anvil cells from room temperature to 10 K

There is an ever increasing interest in studying dynamic-pressure dependent phenomena utilizing dynamic Diamond Anvil Cells (dDACs), devices capable of a highly controlled rate of compression. Here, we characterize and compare the compression rate of dDACs in which the compression is actuated via three different methods: (1) stepper motor (S-dDAC), (2) gas membrane (M-dDAC), and (3) piezoactuator (P-dDAC). The compression rates of these different types of dDAC were determined solely on millisecond time-resolved R1-line fluorescence of a ruby sphere located within the sample chamber. Furthermore, these different dynamic compression-techniques have been described and characterized over a broad temperature and pressure range from 10 to 300 K and 0-50 GPa. At room temperature, piezoactuation (P-dDAC) has a clear advantage in controlled extremely fast compression, having recorded a compression rate of ∼7 TPa/s, which is also found to be primarily influenced by the charging time of the piezostack. At 40-250 K, gas membranes (M-dDAC) have also been found to generate rapid compression of ∼0.5-3 TPa/s and are readily interfaced with moderate cryogenic and ultrahigh vacuum conditions. Approaching more extreme cryogenic conditions (<10 K), a stepper motor driven lever arm (S-dDAC) offers a solution for high-precision moderate compression rates in a regime where P-dDACs and M-dDACs can become difficult to incorporate. The results of this paper demonstrate the applicability of different dynamic compression techniques, and when applied, they can offer us new insights into matter's response to strain, which is highly relevant to physics, geoscience, and chemistry.

Simultaneous imaging and diffraction in the dynamic diamond anvil cell

The ability to visualize a sample undergoing a pressure-induced phase transition allows for the determination of kinetic parameters, such as the nucleation and growth rates of the high-pressure phase. For samples that are opaque to visible light (such as metallic systems), it is necessary to rely on x-ray imaging methods for sample visualization. Here, we present an experimental platform developed at beamline P02.2 at the PETRA III synchrotron radiation source, which is capable of performing simultaneous x-ray imaging and diffraction of samples that are dynamically compressed in piezo-driven diamond anvil cells. This setup utilizes a partially coherent monochromatic x-ray beam to perform lensless phase contrast imaging, which can be carried out using either a parallel- or focused-beam configuration. The capabilities of this platform are illustrated by experiments on dynamically compressed Ga and Ar. Melting and solidification were identified based on the observation of solid/liquid phase boundaries in the x-ray images and corresponding changes in the x-ray diffraction patterns collected during the transition, with significant edge enhancement observed in the x-ray images collected using the focused-beam. These results highlight the suitability of this technique for a variety of purposes, including melt curve determination.

High-Pressure Nonequilibrium Dynamics on Second-to-Microsecond Time Scales: Application of Time-Resolved X-ray Diffraction and Dynamic Compression in Ice

The study of nonequilibrium transition dynamics on structural transformation from the second to microsecond regime, a time scale between static and shock compression, is an emerging field of high-pressure research. There are ample opportunities to uncover novel physical phenomena within this time regime. Herein, we briefly review the development and application of a dynamic compression technique based on a diamond anvil cell (DAC) and time-resolved X-ray diffraction (TRXRD) for the study of time-, pressure-, and temperature-dependent structural dynamics. Applications of the techniques are illustrated with our recent investigations on the mechanisms of the interconversions between different high-pressure ice polymorphs. These examples demonstrate that a combination of dynamic compression and TRXRD is a versatile approach capable of providing information on the kinetics and thermodynamic nature associated with structural transformations. Future improvement of rapid compression and TRXRD techniques and potentially interesting research topics in this area are suggested.

Compression-rate dependence of pressure-induced phase transitions in Bi

It is qualitatively well known that kinetics related to nucleation and growth can shift apparent phase boundaries from their equilibrium value. In this work, we have measured this effect in Bi using time-resolved X-ray diffraction with unprecedented 0.25 ms time resolution, accurately determining phase transition pressures at compression rates spanning five orders of magnitude (10^–2–10³ GPa/s) using the dynamic diamond anvil cell. An over-pressurization of the Bi-III/Bi-V phase boundary is observed at fast compression rates for different sample types and stress states, and the largest over-pressurization that is observed is ΔP = 2.5 GPa. The work presented here paves the way for future studies of transition kinetics at previously inaccessible compression rates.

A resistively-heated dynamic diamond anvil cell (RHdDAC) for fast compression x-ray diffraction experiments at high temperatures

A resistively-heated dynamic diamond anvil cell (RHdDAC) setup is presented. The setup enables the dynamic compression of samples at high temperatures by employing a piezoelectric actuator for pressure control and internal heaters for high temperature. The RHdDAC facilitates the precise control of compression rates and was tested in compression experiments at temperatures up to 1400 K and pressures of ∼130 GPa. The mechanical stability of metallic glass gaskets composed of a FeSiB alloy was examined under simultaneous high-pressure/high-temperature conditions. High-temperature dynamic compression experiments on H₂O ice and (Mg, Fe)O ferropericlase were performed in combination with time-resolved x-ray diffraction measurements to characterize crystal structures and compression behaviors. The employment of high brilliance synchrotron radiation combined with two fast GaAs LAMBDA detectors available at the Extreme Conditions Beamline (P02.2) at PETRA III (DESY) facilitates the collection of data with excellent pressure resolution. The pressure-temperature conditions achievable with the RHdDAC combined with its ability to cover a wide range of compression rates and perform tailored compression paths offers perspectives for a variety of future experiments under extreme conditions.

New dynamic diamond anvil cells for tera-pascal per second fast compression x-ray diffraction experiments

Fast compression experiments performed using dynamic diamond anvil cells (dDACs) employing piezoactuators offer the opportunity to study compression-rate dependent phenomena. In this paper, we describe an experimental setup which allows us to perform time-resolved x-ray diffraction during the fast compression of materials using improved dDACs. The combination of the high flux available using a 25.6 keV x-ray beam focused with a linear array of compound refractive lenses and the two fast GaAs LAMBDA detectors available at the Extreme Conditions Beamline (P02.2) at PETRA III enables the collection of x-ray diffraction patterns at an effective repetition rate of up to 4 kHz. Compression rates of up to 160 TPa/s have been achieved during the compression of gold in a 2.5 ms fast compression using improved dDAC configurations with more powerful piezoactuators. The application of this setup to low-Z compounds at lower compression rates is described, and the high temporal resolution of the setup is demonstrated. The possibility of applying finely tuned pressure profiles opens opportunities for future research, such as using oscillations of the piezoactuator to mimic propagation of seismic waves in the Earth.

Shock growth of ice crystal near equilibrium melting pressure under dynamic compression

Crystal growth and morphological transitions are crucial for fundamental science and wide applications. Nevertheless, their mechanisms under local nonequilibrium growth condition are unclear due to severe interference of thermal and mass transports on the interplay between thermodynamic driving force and interface kinetics. Here, we reveal the origin of the pressure-induced 2D shock growth of ice VI crystal by using dynamic compression, in which a dimensional transition from 3D to 2D is observed. Unlike generally expected, the 2D shock growth occurs from 3D crystal edges rather than from its corners upon fast compression, even near equilibrium growth condition. This is due to similar interface structure to the crystal edge plane facilitating the fast interface kinetics under local nonequilibrium growth.

Crystal growth is governed by an interplay between macroscopic driving force and microscopic interface kinetics at the crystal–liquid interface. Unlike the local equilibrium growth condition, the interplay becomes blurred under local nonequilibrium, which raises many questions about the nature of diverse crystal growth and morphological transitions. Here, we systematically control the growth condition from local equilibrium to local nonequilibrium by using an advanced dynamic diamond anvil cell (dDAC) and generate anomalously fast growth of ice VI phase with a morphological transition from three- to two-dimension (3D to 2D), which is called a shock crystal growth. Unlike expected, the shock growth occurs from the edges of 3D crystal along the (112) crystal plane rather than its corners, which implies that the fast compression yields effectively large overpressure at the crystal–liquid interface, manifesting the local nonequilibrium condition. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation reproduces the faster growth of the (112) plane than other planes upon applying large overpressure. Moreover, the MD study reveals that the 2D shock crystal growth originates from the similarity of the interface structure between water and the (112) crystal plane under the large overpressure. This study provides insight into crystal growth under dynamic compressions, which makes a bridge for the unknown behaviors of crystal growth between under static and dynamic pressure conditions.

Rapid freezing of water under dynamic compression

Understanding the behavior of materials at extreme pressures is a central issue in fields like aerodynamics, astronomy, and geology, as well as for advancing technological grand challenges such as inertial confinement fusion. Dynamic compression experiments to probe high-pressure states often encounter rapid phase transitions that may cause the materials to behave in unexpected ways, and understanding the kinetics of these phase transitions remains an area of great interest. In this review, we examine experimental and theoretical/computational efforts to study the freezing kinetics of water to a high-pressure solid phase known as ice VII. We first present a detailed analysis of dynamic compression experiments in which water has been observed to freeze on sub-microsecond time scales to ice VII. This is followed by a discussion of the limitations of currently available molecular and continuum simulation methods in modeling these experiments. We then describe how our phase transition kinetics models, which are based on classical nucleation theory, provide a more physics-based framework that overcomes some of these limitations. Finally, we give suggestions on future experimental and modeling work on the liquid-ice VII transition, including an outline of the development of a predictive multiscale model in which molecular and continuum simulations are intimately coupled.

Melting dynamics of ice in the mesoscopic regime

How does a crystal melt? How long does it take for melt nuclei to grow? The melting mechanisms have been addressed by several theoretical and experimental works, covering a subnanosecond time window with sample sizes of tens of nanometers and thus suitable to determine the onset of the process but unable to unveil the following dynamics. On the other hand, macroscopic observations of phase transitions, with millisecond or longer time resolution, account for processes occurring at surfaces and time limited by thermal contact with the environment. Here, we fill the gap between these two extremes, investigating the melting of ice in the entire mesoscopic regime. A bulk ice I _h or ice VI sample is homogeneously heated by a picosecond infrared pulse, which delivers all of the energy necessary for complete melting. The evolution of melt/ice interfaces thereafter is monitored by Mie scattering with nanosecond resolution, for all of the time needed for the sample to reequilibrate. The growth of the liquid domains, over distances of micrometers, takes hundreds of nanoseconds, a time orders of magnitude larger than expected from simple H-bond dynamics.

Developments in time-resolved high pressure x-ray diffraction using rapid compression and decompression

Complementary advances in high pressure research apparatus and techniques make it possible to carry out time-resolved high pressure research using what would customarily be considered static high pressure apparatus. This work specifically explores time-resolved high pressure x-ray diffraction with rapid compression and/or decompression of a sample in a diamond anvil cell. Key aspects of the synchrotron beamline and ancillary equipment are presented, including source considerations, rapid (de)compression apparatus, high frequency imaging detectors, and software suitable for processing large volumes of data. A number of examples are presented, including fast equation of state measurements, compression rate dependent synthesis of metastable states in silicon and germanium, and ultrahigh compression rates using a piezoelectric driven diamond anvil cell.

Online remote control systems for static and dynamic compression and decompression using diamond anvil cells

The ability to remotely control pressure in diamond anvil cells (DACs) in accurate and consistent manner at room temperature, as well as at cryogenic and elevated temperatures, is crucial for effective and reliable operation of a high-pressure synchrotron facility such as High Pressure Collaborative Access Team (HPCAT). Over the last several years, a considerable effort has been made to develop instrumentation for remote and automated pressure control in DACs during synchrotron experiments. We have designed and implemented an array of modular pneumatic (double-diaphragm), mechanical (gearboxes), and piezoelectric devices and their combinations for controlling pressure and compression/decompression rate at various temperature conditions from 4 K in cryostats to several thousand Kelvin in laser-heated DACs. Because HPCAT is a user facility and diamond cells for user experiments are typically provided by users, our development effort has been focused on creating different loading mechanisms and frames for a variety of existing and commonly used diamond cells rather than designing specialized or dedicated diamond cells with various drives. In this paper, we review the available instrumentation for remote static and dynamic pressure control in DACs and show some examples of their applications to high pressure research.

Picosecond optical parametric generator and amplifier for large temperature-jump

An optical parametric generator and amplifier producing 15 ps pulses at wavelengths tunable around 2 μm, with energies up to 15 mJ/pulse, has been realized and characterized. The output wavelength is chosen to match a vibrational combination band of water. By measuring the induced birefringence changes we prove that a single pulse is able to completely melt samples of ice in the 10⁻⁶ cm³ volume range, both at room pressure (263 K) and at high pressure (298 K, 1 GPa) in a sapphire anvil cell. This source opens the possibility of studying melting and freezing processes by spectroscopic probes in water or water solutions in a wide range of conditions as found in natural environments.

Formation and phase transitions of methane hydrates under dynamic loadings: compression rate dependent kinetics

We describe high-pressure kinetic studies of the formation and phase transitions of methane hydrates (MH) under dynamic loading conditions, using a dynamic-diamond anvil cell (d-DAC) coupled with time-resolved confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy and high-speed microphotography. The time-resolved spectra and dynamic pressure responses exhibit profound compression-rate dependences associated with both the formation and the solid-solid phase transitions of MH-I to II and MH-II to III. Under dynamic loading conditions, MH forms only from super-compressed water and liquid methane in a narrow pressure range between 0.9 and 1.6 GPa at the one-dimensional (1D) growth rate of 42 μm/s. MH-I to II phase transition occurs at the onset of water solidification 0.9 GPa, following a diffusion controlled mechanism. We estimated the activation volume to be -109±29 Å(3), primarily associated with relatively slow methane diffusion which follows the rapid interfacial reconstruction, or martensitic displacements of atomic positions and hydrogen bonds, of 5(12)6(2) water cages in MH-I to 4(3)5(12)6(3) cages in MH-II. MH-II to III transition, on the other hand, occurs over a broad pressure range between 1.5 and 2.2 GPa, following a reconstructive mechanism from super-compressed MH-II clathrates to a broken ice-filled viscoelastic solid of MH-III. It is found that the profound dynamic effects observed in the MH formation and phase transitions are primarily governed by the stability of water and ice phases at the relevant pressures.

The measurement of differential EXAFS modulated by high pressure

Differential EXAFS (DiffEXAFS) is able to detect subtle atomic perturbations in the local area of the absorbing atom. Here a new method of performing DiffEXAFS experiments under the modulation of high pressure has been developed. Periodic pressure was achieved in the gasket with the help of a dynamic diamond anvil cell, and the measurements were conducted in common energy-scanning mode. This technique has been utilized on ZnSe at 4.8 GPa. The present results have demonstrated a good agreement with the equation of state of ZnSe, and revealed sensitivity to atomic displacements of one order higher in magnitude than that of conventional EXAFS.

High density amorphous ice at room temperature

The phase diagram of water is both unusual and complex, exhibiting a wide range of polymorphs including proton-ordered or disordered forms. In addition, a variety of stable and metastable forms are observed. The richness of H(2)O phases attests the versatility of hydrogen-bonded network structures that include kinetically stable amorphous ices. Information of the amorphous solids, however, is rarely available especially for the stability field and transformation dynamics--but all reported to exist below the crystallization temperature of approximately 150-170 K below 4-5 GPa. Here, we present the evidence of high density amorphous (HDA) ice formed well above the crystallization temperature at 1 GPa--well inside the so-called "no-man's land." It is formed from metastable ice VII in the stability field of ice VI under rapid compression using dynamic-diamond anvil cell (d-DAC) and results from structural similarities between HDA and ice VII. The formation follows an interfacial growth mechanism unlike the melting process. Nevertheless, the occurrence of HDA along the extrapolated melt line of ice VII resembles the ice Ih-to-HDA transition, indicating that structural instabilities of parent ice VII and Ih drive the pressure-induced amorphization.

Dynamic diamond anvil cell (dDAC): a novel device for studying the dynamic-pressure properties of materials

We have developed a unique device, a dynamic diamond anvil cell (dDAC), which repetitively applies a time-dependent load/pressure profile to a sample. This capability allows studies of the kinetics of phase transitions and metastable phases at compression (strain) rates of up to 500 GPa/s (approximately 0.16 s(-1) for a metal). Our approach adapts electromechanical piezoelectric actuators to a conventional diamond anvil cell design, which enables precise specification and control of a time-dependent applied load/pressure. Existing DAC instrumentation and experimental techniques are easily adapted to the dDAC to measure the properties of a sample under the varying load/pressure conditions. This capability addresses the sparsely studied regime of dynamic phenomena between static research (diamond anvil cells and large volume presses) and dynamic shock-driven experiments (gas guns, explosive, and laser shock). We present an overview of a variety of experimental measurements that can be made with this device.