Molecular dynamics observed 60 ps behind a solid-state shock front

The usual methods for obtaining high temporal and spatial resolution in shock wave studies involve optical measurements of the emergence of the shock at the surface of an opaque material via laser velocity interferometry, optical emission, or optical reflectivity. In this study, a method that uses embedded optical nanometer scale molecular shock gauges is introduced. These optical nanogauges yield extremely high time resolution of shock front location. Also, the molecular response of the nanogauges provides detailed information about the nonequilibrium dynamics of molecules immediately behind a solid-state shock front. This embedded optical nanogauge have been used to measure the location of a solid-state shock front with a time resolution of about 60 picosecond.