V. F. Anisichkin

The effect of temperature on the growth of ultradispersed diamonds at a detonation front

Experimental data verify that particles of ultradispersed diamond produced during the detonative decomposition of an explosive material can grow in the solid crystalline state. A method is proposed, and increasing the size of particles of ultradispersed diamond by raising the temperature at the detonation front is shown to be feasible.

Shock-wave data as evidence of the presence of carbon in the earth’s core and lower mantle

The standard density and average atomic weights of hypothetical materials contained in the inner layers of the Earth are calculated from results of shock-wave studies using a previously proposed method for determining the velocity of sound in materials at high pressures and density, and from seismic data. These data turned out to be sufficient to refine the elemental composition of the Earth’s interior. It is shown that the iron-nickel core of the Earth should contain ≈10% (by weight) carbon, partly in the diamond phase. According to the calculations, the lower mantle can contain up to 20% carbon, which probably comes from the core.

SHOCK DENSIFICATION OF ULTRADISPERSED DIAMOND

The production of densified ultradispersed diamonds is examined. Methods for preliminary removal of impurities from samples and shock densification are proposed which make it possible to obtain compact materials with durability comparable to that of AS2 synthetic diamond.

Shock-wave synthesis of fullerenes from graphite

A new method of producing fullerenes is proposed which is based on the fact that in the rarefaction wave generated when the shock wave emerges on the free surface of shock-compressed graphite, the crystals can break up not into separate carbon atoms but into fullerene molecules. Results of experiments confirming formation of C60 in a graphite sample by means of a 30–35-Pa shock wave are presented.

Natural Neutron‐Fission Wave

The dynamics of Feoktistovs neutron‐fission wave is considered. The possibility of this process under natural conditions, namely in the interior of planets, is assessed.

Simulation of the Behavior of Mixtures of Heavy Particles Behind a Shock‐Wave Front

The two‐dimensional inviscid nonstationary flow behind a shock wave passing through solid uranium dioxide or carbide particles suspended in liquid iron was simulated numerically. Such layers can appear inside planets in the vicinity of the planets solid core. Shock waves passing in the interior of a planet (resulting from a possible asteroid impact on the planet) can change parameters of the layer. The calculations demonstrated that the local particle massconcentration behind the incident and reflected shock waves increases considerably, which can cause a transition of the layer into a supercritical state and a nuclear explosion inside the planet. The problem was solved taking into account possible particle collisions and their deformation and fission as well as changes in the fields of major thermodynamic parameters inside and outside each particle.