Platinum liquid-vapor phase boundary mapped by fluid flyer experiments

We report a direct measurement of the temperature and density of a metal along its liquid-vapor coexistence (L-V) curve. By shocking platinum to a high-pressure liquid, we imparted sufficient heat for subsequent isentropic release to place it in a state on the boundary between the liquid and vapor phases. Released material in the liquid phase acted as a high velocity flyer pinned to the L-V curve. We measured velocity and radiant emission of the flyer as well as the interface motion and transiting shock states induced in a downstream window material by its impact. We used these measurements to calculate temperature and density of the L-V curve state which we compare to density functional theory predictions.