About

The Dynamic Compression Sector at The Advanced Photon Source

A new paradigm to understand dynamic compression at multiple length scales in real-time.

The Dynamic Compression Sector

The Dynamic Compression Sector (DCS), sponsored by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the Department of Energy (DOE), is a first-of-its-kind capability dedicated to dynamic compression science. Washington State University operates the DCS and led the effort to develop and build the DCS experimental capabilities and instrumentation, in collaboration with the Advanced Photon Source (APS); DOE/NNSA National Laboratories (Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore, and Sandia); Army Research Laboratory; and University of Rochester (LLE). The DCS represents a novel and visionary capability in support of the NNSA’s scientific mission, and offers an opportunity to pursue fundamental science that has not been possible at other user facilities to date.

Washington State University

WSU has a long and distinguished history, spanning over six decades, of shock wave research innovations and educational excellence, and is widely recognized as the academic leader in the field. The DCS is operated by the WSU Institute for Shock Physics (ISP), a multidisciplinary research organization with an emphasis on understanding condensed matter response at extreme conditions. The ISP is a national resource in dynamic compression science with the goal to strengthen and enhance the long-term intellectual vitality of this exciting field. More information may be found at shock.wsu.edu.

DCS Impact

The DCS, with a focus on real-time x-ray diffraction, scattering, and imaging, provides in-situ, time-resolved measurements at microscopic length scales to achieve an understanding of the fundamental mechanisms governing a broad range of time-dependent, condensed matter phenomena under dynamic compression. Such measurements are also essential for validating multi-scale modeling of key materials phenomena under shock wave and shockless compression.

The DCS, with an emphasis on condensed matter and materials science research activities using a variety of dynamic compression platforms, is an excellent complement to other national user facilities that emphasize static pressure research, warm dense matter response, and dense plasma response.

An exciting and visionary scientific undertaking, the DCS integrates scientific/technical expertise across the DOE to address both scientific and programmatic challenges.

Visual Tour of DCS Experimental Facilities
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Institute for Shock Physics Feature Video – APS March Meeting