Shock-recovery studies on InSb single crystals up to 24 GPa

Abstract

A series of shock-recovery experiments on InSb single crystals along the (100) or (111) axes up to 24 GPa were performed using flyer plate impact. The structures of recovered samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. According to calculated peak pressures and temperatures, and phase diagram for InSb, the sample could undergo phase transitions from zinc-blende structure to high-pressure phases. However, the XRD trace of each sample corresponded to powder pattern of InSb with zinc-blende structure. The XRD trace of each sample revealed the absence of additional constituents including metastable phases and high-pressure phases of InSb except for samples shocked around 16 GPa. At 16 GPa, in addition to zinc-blende structure, additional peaks were obtained. One of these peaks may correspond to the Cmcm or Immm phase of InSb, and the other peaks were not identified. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.