Body-centered phase of shock loaded Cu

Abstract

Single crystal Cu when shock loaded in certain direction for a certain narrow range of piston velocities undergoes a structural phase transition from face-centered cubic to different body-centered phases. Based on molecular dynamic simulations, the manuscript identifies new phases of Cu through detailed radial distribution function and x-ray diffraction analysis. Identification of the new phases of Cu should initiate a re-evaluation of phase diagram for Cu under high temperature and pressure conditions.