Experimental observation for new polymorphs of silicon formed through ultrafast-laser-induced microexplosion

Abstract

Intense ultrafast laser pulses tightly focused in the bulk of transparent material produce plasma in the extreme conditions similar to those in the cores of planets. The plasma generates strong shock waves in such confined geometry, thus inducing a laser-ignited microexplosion. This new method of compression of matter by ultra-short laser induced micro-explosion generates pressures in excess of Terapascals, leaving all the pressure/temperature-affected material confined inside the bulk of pristine crystal for the further investigations