Observation of wavelength shifts in ruby under shock compression to 36 GPa by time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy

We have measured time-resolved luminescence spectra of ruby crystal subjected to impact-induced shock compression along the a axis to 36.3 GPa, recording the effect of shock and release waves on ruby R lines as streaks. Near the Hugoniot elastic limit (HEL), ruby luminescence lines blur, but above the HEL, blurring disappears and a clear image returns with the temporal behavior of luminescence lines differing from that in elastic region. Above the HEL, the luminescence intensity of shock-compressed ruby crystal decreases with increasing shock pressure.