Shock compression experiments using SACLA-XFEL. Behavior of materials at ultrahigh pressures and ultrahigh energy densities

Shock compression is used to investigate the behaviors of material under extreme conditions. In particular, the states in the high-pressure and high-temperature, extreme conditions created by laser-driven shock is of great interest in the area of high-energy density science, planetary science, condensed matter physics, material science, and those applications. X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) is a vital tool for directly observing the structure of such fast-moving material and for understanding the kinetics under the conditions. In this review, our experimental platform coupling the SACLA-XFEL with a high-energy laser is presented, as well as the recent achievements on the ultrafast observations of material deformation, phase transition, and fracture. (author)