X-ray imaging of subsurface dynamics in high-Z materials at the Diamond Light Source

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Physics
• Engineering

Background:

• Studying subsurface dynamics in high-Z materials is crucial for understanding material behavior under extreme conditions.
• Existing methods often lack the resolution or penetration power to probe dynamic processes in dense materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a new methodology for investigating subsurface dynamics in high-Z materials.
• To demonstrate the application of high-energy synchrotron X-rays coupled with a dynamic loading platform for capturing transient phenomena.

Main Methods:

• Utilized high-energy synchrotron X-rays (up to 300 keV) with a hybrid bunch structure.
• Employed a custom-built, portable small bore gas-gun for dynamic loading of metal targets.
• Captured radiographic snapshots of mesoscale damage evolution during dynamic deformation.

Main Results:

• Successfully probed dynamic deformation and mesoscale damage evolution in cm-scale specimens.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of using high-energy X-rays for studying transient phenomena in high-Z materials.
• Identified strategies for overcoming challenges associated with high-energy X-ray imaging.

Conclusions:

• The developed approach enables unprecedented insights into subsurface dynamics of high-Z materials.
• The methodology shows promise for engineering applications requiring the study of large-scale samples under dynamic loads.
• Further advancements in dynamic imaging techniques are suggested for probing larger samples and more complex scenarios.