Raman study of quartz amorphization by shock pressure

Quartz crystal converted to the amorphous state by shock pressure between 22 GPa and 32 GPa (room temperature) and 25 GPa (630 degrees C) are compared in Raman scattering experiments with glasses produced by quenching from the melt. The amorphization process is followed in the transformation regime in which there are two phases. The role of the temperature in the evolution of the crystalline-like phase with pressure is underlined, and the importance of the D-1 line associated rings in the conversion process is demonstrated.