Phase transition in Ga2O3 studied by shock-recovery experiment

Abstract

Shock-recovery experiments were conducted on E-Ga2O3 using a plate impact technique. The recovered sample was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The XRD pattern and Raman spectrum of a Ga2O3 sample shocked at 21 GPa indicated a shock-induced monoclinic (E) to corundum (D) phase transition. In contrast to static compression, the coexistence of E and D phases was observed by shocking at 39 GPa. In addition, the fraction of E phase in the sample shocked at 39 GPa was larger than that observed in a sample shocked at 36 GPa. The regrowth of the E phase could be due to a shock-induced increase of temperature. The wide pressure range of the mixed phases implies the pressure-induced E- to D-Ga2O3 transition was sluggish.