What Determines the fcc-bcc Structural Transformation in Shock Compressed Noble Metals?

High pressure structural transformations are typically characterized by the thermodynamic state (pressure-volume-temperature) of the material. We present in situ x-ray diffraction measurements on laser-shock compressed silver and platinum to determine the role of deformation-induced lattice defects on high pressure phase transformations in noble metals. Results for shocked Ag show a copious increase in stacking faults (SFs) before transformation to the body-centered-cubic (bcc) structure at 144-158 GPa. In contrast, shock compressed Pt remains largely free of SFs and retains the fcc structure to over 380 GPa. These findings, along with recent results for shock compressed gold, show that SF formation promotes high pressure structural transformations in shocked noble metals that are not observed under static compression. Potential SF-related mechanisms for fcc-bcc transformations are discussed.