Shock-Compression Experiments of Planetary Materials Driven by Power Lasers

Abstract

Shock-compressed states of planetary materials have been analyzed using high-power lasers. Here we review recent results of these experiments to compress planetary ices and minerals. Planetary ices made of hydrogen, oxygen, carbon and nitrogen are the most abundant solid occurring in the universe. Their particles had coalesced together to develop into icy giant planets such as Uranus and Neptune when the solar system was formed. At high pressure and temperature conditions relevant to the interiors of these planets, these ices were proved to become a good electronic conductor, which is the best-possible rationale of strong magnetic fields originating from insides of these planets. Using high-power lasers, such exotic properties of planetary ices have been revealed. In addition, shock-compressed states of planetary minerals (represented by forsterite olivine, Mg2SiO4) were successfully analyzed; for this purpose, X-ray free electron laser is combined with the high-power laser for ultrafast analysis of shock-ompressed crystal structures.