The 9th International Conference on Matter and Radiation at Extremes (ICMRE2026) ( ICMRE2026)

164 / 2026-03-31 22:45:29

Laser-Driven Dynamic Phase: Non-Equilibrium Behavior of ICF Ablator Materials and Planetary Interiors

laser shock-loaded,laser ICF,ablator,phase equilibrium

High-Pressure Materials Science > Dynamic High-Pressure Physics

Traditional phase diagrams under extreme conditions (>100 GPa, >2000 K) rely on quasi-static experiments. However, nanosecond laser-driven shock compression induces material transformation at extreme strain rates, where suppressed atomic diffusion creates non-equilibrium pathways and kinetic boundaries that deviate from static results.

This talk presents our construction of "dynamic phase diagrams" for rapid loading processes, with direct implications for inertial confinement fusion. Integrating laser shock compression with VISAR-SOP diagnostics, we observe non-equilibrium transitions in real time, capturing metastable phases absent from equilibrium pictures.

Our central focus is the high-pressure response of candidate ICF ablators—diamond, cubic boron nitride, and hexagonal boron nitride. Their dynamic phase transitions, equation of state, and kinetics under extreme conditions are critical for optimizing implosion performance and informing next-generation fusion designs. This dynamic phase diagram data provides essential benchmarks for validating hydrodynamic simulations and improving predictive capabilities in ICF ignition regimes.

Beyond fusion, our platform enables planetary interior exploration, including diamond melting at terapascal pressures relevant to Neptune-like icy giants. We conclude by discussing future integration of multi-scale simulations with astronomical observations to elucidate material evolution under extreme cosmic conditions while advancing the scientific basis for inertial confinement fusion.