Journal of Applied Physics

Accessing terapascal pressures on two-stage light-gas guns for high-energy-density research

M M. G. Gorman G G. C. Burdiak (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) N N. Niasse (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) V V. Beltrán (First Light Fusion Ltd. 1 , Unit 9 and 10 Oxford Pioneer Park, Yarnton, Oxford OX5 1QU, Oxfordshire,) R R. L. Doherty (First Light Fusion Ltd. 1 , Unit 9 and 10 Oxford Pioneer Park, Yarnton, Oxford OX5 1QU, Oxfordshire,) J J. R. Allison (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) P P. Allan (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) R R. L. Barker (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) M M. Betney (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) R R. Bordas (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) D D. A. Chapman (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) H H. W. Doyle (First Light Fusion Ltd. 1 , Unit 9 and 10 Oxford Pioneer Park, Yarnton, Oxford OX5 1QU, Oxfordshire,) T T. Edwards (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) E E. Escauriza (Department of Physics, University of California San Diego 2 , La Jolla, California 92093,) R R. Guiga (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) N N. Hawker (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) N N. Joiner (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) T T. Kosteletos (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) J J. Parker (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) J J. D. Pecover (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) Z Z. Pešić (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) J J. S. Read (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) M M. P. Read (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) T T. Ringrose (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) J J. W. Skidmore (First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,) T T. Ao (Sandia National Laboratories 2 , Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1181,) A A. Porwitzky (Sandia National Laboratories 2 , Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1181,) B B. Farfan (Sandia National Laboratories 2 , Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1181,) C C. Johnson (Sandia National Laboratories 2 , Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1181,) A A. Hansen D D. Dolan (Department of Physics & Astronomy and Institute for Shock Physics, Washington State University 3 , Pullman, Washington 99164-2816,)

Abstract

We present pressure amplifiers that have been developed to enable the study of material behavior at terapascal (TPa) pressures using two-stage light-gas gun (2SLGG) facilities. When impacted by a hyper-velocity projectile, Mach reflections within the pressure amplifier eventually merge to form a Mach stem, generating a planar output shock that greatly exceeds the initial drive. Validation experiments demonstrated that peak pressures of 0.6 and 1.073 TPa were achieved in quartz samples for two different amplifier designs. These pressures represent an approximately fivefold increase over the sample pressures typically attainable at 2SLGG facilities. The temporal and spatial uniformity of the pressure drive is suitable for high-precision equation-of-state measurements of materials relative to a shock standard. This work greatly extends the capabilities of 2SLGG facilities and opens new avenues of study in high-energy-density physics using these drivers.

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Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 139, Issue 2
Published January 14, 2026
ISSN 0021-8979
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Journal of Applied Physics

American Institute of Physics
ISSN: 0021-8979 Physical Sciences

Authors (31)

M

M. G. Gorman

G

G. C. Burdiak

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

N

N. Niasse

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

V

V. Beltrán

First Light Fusion Ltd. 1 , Unit 9 and 10 Oxford Pioneer Park, Yarnton, Oxford OX5 1QU, Oxfordshire,

R

R. L. Doherty

First Light Fusion Ltd. 1 , Unit 9 and 10 Oxford Pioneer Park, Yarnton, Oxford OX5 1QU, Oxfordshire,

J

J. R. Allison

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

P

P. Allan

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

R

R. L. Barker

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

M

M. Betney

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

R

R. Bordas

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

D

D. A. Chapman

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

H

H. W. Doyle

First Light Fusion Ltd. 1 , Unit 9 and 10 Oxford Pioneer Park, Yarnton, Oxford OX5 1QU, Oxfordshire,

T

T. Edwards

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

E

E. Escauriza

Department of Physics, University of California San Diego 2 , La Jolla, California 92093,

R

R. Guiga

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

N

N. Hawker

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

N

N. Joiner

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

T

T. Kosteletos

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

J

J. Parker

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

J

J. D. Pecover

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

Z

Z. Pešić

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

J

J. S. Read

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

M

M. P. Read

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

T

T. Ringrose

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

J

J. W. Skidmore

First Light Fusion 1 , Oxford OX5 1QU,

T

T. Ao

Sandia National Laboratories 2 , Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1181,

A

A. Porwitzky

Sandia National Laboratories 2 , Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1181,

B

B. Farfan

Sandia National Laboratories 2 , Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1181,

C

C. Johnson

Sandia National Laboratories 2 , Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1181,

A

A. Hansen

D

D. Dolan

Department of Physics & Astronomy and Institute for Shock Physics, Washington State University 3 , Pullman, Washington 99164-2816,

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