ABSTRACT
The science of high pressure (Eliezer et al. 1986, Eliezer and Ricci 1991) is studied experimentally in the laboratory by using static and dynamic techniques. In static experiments the sample is squeezed between pistons or anvils. The conditions in these static experiments are limited by the strength of the construction materials. In the dynamic exdepends periments shock waves are created. Since the passage time of the shock is short in comparison with the disassembly time of the shocked sample, one can do shock wave research for any pressure that can be supplied by a driver, assuming that a proper diagnostic is available. In the scientific literature, the following shock-wave generators are discussed: a variety of guns (such as rail guns and a two-stage light-gas gun) that accelerate a foil to collide with a target, exploding foils, magnetic compression, chemical explosives, nuclear explosions and high-power lasers. The conventional high explosive and gun drivers can achieve pressures up to a few megabars.
