Research

Condensed Matter Physics

The fundamentally derived determination, prediction, validation, and accurate tabulation of the high pressure response of materials are critical in the assessment of stockpile performance. High pressure properties of materials can be broadly classified in terms of thermodynamic properties, mechanical properties, electronic and phonon properties, and chemical properties.

Detonation Physics

Thermal and chemical properties of various forms of energetic materials are studied at high pressures and temperatures, ranging from unreacted high explosives (nitromethane, HMX, PETN, TATB, LX-17, etc.) to reacting (deflagration, detonation, decomposition) systems, to major detonation products (carbon, H2O, N2, CO2) to mixtures of these materials.

Earth and Planetary Physics

The mantle and core of Earth and neighboring planets are made of relatively simple materials, but at very high pressures and temperatures. Therefore, the laser-heated diamond anvil high pressure technique provides a unique way to learn about the chemical composition, internal structure, energy balance, magnetism, and the exact states of major constituents.

Novel Materials Physics

An experimental effort to achieve the synthesis and characterization of members of a new class of energetic materials that are predicted to have energy densities (energy per unit volume) much larger than conventional high performance explosives.

Scientific formulas superimposed on an image of a magnifying glass.