Synchrotron diagnostics of shock-wave compression of aerogel

This work describes the procedure for investigation into dynamics of shock-wave compression of aerogel with the help of synchrotron radiation (SR). The aim of the experiments was to measure intensity both of transmitted radiation, giving information on substance density variation, and of radiation scattered through small angles (small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS)), that can be used for reconstruction of pore evolution. The studies have shown that the SAXS signal vanishes while the shock wave is passing, i.e. the pores practically get shut. The porous structure of the substance recovers after the shock wave has passed, however, with a different pore size-grade distribution.