Topical Group on Shock Compression of Condensed Matter

The Topical Group on Shock Compression of Condensed Matter (SHOCK or SCCM) is a Unit of the American Physical Society (APS).[1] The objective of the SCCM is the advancement and dissemination of knowledge on the physics of materials under dynamic high-pressure loading including shock physics, the effect of shock waves on materials, dynamic behavior of materials, and materials in extremes.[2] Since its formation in 1984, the topical group has sponsored the Biennial International Conference of the APS Topical Group on Shock Compression of Condensed Matter (SCCM)[3] and awards the George E. Duvall Shock Compression Science Award.[4]

While specific topics and session names are set for each Biennial SCCM Conference, frequent topics include:

• Detonation and shock induced chemistry
• Energetic and reactive materials
• Equations of State
• Experimental developments
• First-principles and molecular dynamics
• Geophysics and planetary science
• Grain scale to continuum modeling
• High-energy density physics/Warm dense matter
• Inelastic deformations, fracture, and spall
• Materials Strength
• Particulate, porous, and composite materials
• Phase transitions
• Soft matter, polymers, and biomaterials

Recently one-off focused sessions have been organized on topics such as:

• X-ray free electron lasers and materials, Velocimetry diagnostic development, and Turbulence and Mixing[5]
• Deep Carbon Budget, High Energy Density Materials, and Dynamic Response of Materials[6]
• Post Shock Turbulence, Meso and Macro Scales, and Material Strength at High Pressure[7]

The Topical Group publishes a series of Proceeds from the conferences, with the majority of proceedings published by the American Institute of Physics (1981, 1993 to 2011.)[8] For the 2013 conference the proceeds was published by the Institute of Physics and was Open Access for the first time.[9]