1.
Phys Rev Lett
; 91(20): 205501, 2003 Nov 14.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-14683372
ABSTRACT
Molecular dynamics simulations of fused silica at shock pressures reproduce the experimental equation of state of this material and explain its characteristic shape. We demonstrate that shock waves modify the medium-range order of this amorphous system, producing changes that are only clearly revealed by its ring size distribution. The ring size distribution remains practically unchanged during elastic compression but varies continuously after the transition to the plastic regime.