Experimental data analysis methods for the physics-based description of phase transition kinetics*

Experimental data analysis techniques for the determination of phase transformation kinetics under ramp compression are presented. The new techniques, which do not require any simulations, are described in three parts: (I) estimation of nucleation and growth rates via analysis of the velocimetry wave profile “loop”, (II) bounding of the metastability limit or “maximum over-pressurization” and (III) application of a universal scaling relation that sheds light on the time-dependence of the phase transition. The relatively simple analysis techniques presented are made available in an open source code for the community.