Ultrafast Laser Induced Confined Microexplosion: A New Route to Form Super-Dense Material Phases

Abstract

Intense ultrafast laser pulses tightly focused in the bulk of transparent material interact with matter in the condition where the conservation of mass is fulfilled. A strong shock wave generated in the interaction region expands into the surrounding cold material and compresses it, which may result in the formation of new states of matter. Here we show that the extreme conditions produced in the ultrafast laser driven micro-explosions can serve as a novel microscopic laboratory for high pressure and temperature studies well beyond the pressure levels achieved in a diamond anvil cell.