Abstract
A time-resolved x-ray diffraction technique is employed to monitor the structural transformation of laser-shocked bismuth. Results reveal a retarded transformation from the shock-induced Bi-V phase to a metastable Bi-IV phase during the shock release, instead of the thermodynamically stable Bi-III phase. The emergence of the metastable Bi-IV phase is understood by the competitive interplay between two transformation pathways towards the Bi-IV and Bi-III, respectively. The former is more rapid than the latter because the Bi-V to B-IV transformation is driven by interaction between the closest atoms while the Bi-V to B-III transformation requires interaction between the second-closest atoms. The nucleation time for the Bi-V to Bi-IV transformation is determined to be 5.1±0.9 ns according to a classical nucleation model. This observation demonstrates the importance of the formation of the transient metastable phases, which can change the phase transformation pathway in a dynamic process.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 046401 |
Journal | Chinese Physics B |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2024 |
Keywords
- bismuth
- metastable phase
- nonequilibrium phase diagram
- phase transformation
- time-resolved x-ray diffraction (XRD)