Hugoniot data for carbon at megabar pressures

An experimental point for the carbon equation of state at megabar pressures, obtained by laser-driven shock waves, was presented. The experiment was based on the generation of high quality shocks and using 'two steps-two materials' targets. Two diagnostics systems based on streak cameras coupled to photographic objectives and 12 bit charge coupled device cameras, were used. The results when compared with previous experiments and with available theoretical models show a high compressibility of carbon at megabar pressures.