Shock-wave equation-of-state studies at Los Alamos

A history of the shock-wave equation-of-state (EOS) studies at Los Alamos is given. Particular emphasis is placed on the pioneering research in the 1950s where many of the experimental techniques and methods of analysis were developed, which we now take for granted. A brief review of shock-wave physics is given, which illustrates important hydrodynamic and thermodynamic concepts. Recent studies on the EOS of Ti are presented with emphasis on theα-to-ω phase transition. VISAR wave profiles for polycrystalline Ni and singlecrystal Ni are presented to determine the strengths of these materials under pressure. Low-density polystyrene foam Hugoniot experiments are described and results analyzed.