C₆₀ three-dimensional polymerization by impulse heating effect

Impulse laser heating combined with a quick sample cooling in a diamond anvil cell provides unique conditions for the 3D polymerization reaction of C₆₀. The reaction proceeds under the 8-10 GPa pressure and 2700 K temperature in the case of heating-cooling cycle time around 0.1 μs. Such a short heating time permits to increase the maximal temperature of the fullerite sample by 1700 K on conditions that C₆₀ are still surviving. As a result, the pressure of the phase transition to 3D polymerized fullerite phase with 519 GPa bulk modulus was essentially decreased. Furthermore, the transition has proceeded at quasi-hydrostatic conditions without activation by applying a plastic deformation.