Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.pc866t23j

Description of the data and file structure

Pump-probe measurements using infrared and x-ray laser beams were performed on high-density amorphous (HDA) ice and low-density amorphous (LDA) ice samples. The samples were isochorically heated by the IR laser and then decompressed. The X-ray scattering patterns were measured along the decompression process. 

Files and variables

File: main_figure_data_fig2.xlsx

Description: X-ray scattering during the decompression process of HDA at different laser fluences. Wide angle x-ray scattering (WAXS) intensities around the first peak and small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) intensities at different delays after laser pumping.  

(A) 3 J/cm² WAXS (B) 3 J/cm² SAXS

(C) 11 J/cm² WAXS (D) 11 J/cm² SAXS

(E) 15 J/cm² WAXS (F) 15 J/cm² SAXS

(G) 20 J/cm² WAXS (H) 20 J/cm² SAXS

Variables

• q in Å^-1 unit
• I (q) in arbitrary unit (a. u.)

• After the pump pulse, the scattering intensity changes as a function of time.
• The changes are q-dependent, meaning they reflect structural rearrangements at specific length scales.
• Early times (13–50 ns) already differ from the “before pump” curve represents the system responds very fast.
• Later times (200 ns–1 µs) show partial relaxation or evolution toward a new state.

• The pump excites the system (laser, thermal, electronic, etc.).
• This causes short-range structural changes that modify how the sample scatters.
• The persistence of changes up to 1 µs suggests non-instantaneous recovery.

File: main_figure_data_fig3.xlsx

Description: Determination of temperature reached after laser heating of LDA.

(A) The shift of the ice Bragg peaks after crystallization as a function of laser fluence. Mean values and standard deviations from approximately 10 measurements.

(B_data) Laser energy versus the average of estimated temperatures. 

(B_fit) The power-law fit results for the average temperature data shown in Fig. 3B.

Variables

• Pump laser power in J/cm² unit
• Difference of peak position in Å^-1 unit
• Estimated temperature in K unit

• As pump fluence increases, the peak position shifts.
• The shift increases rapidly at low power and then saturates at higher power.
• The decreasing standard deviation at higher fluence suggests more reproducible structural response.

• The peak shift indicates a change in characteristic spacing (e.g., lattice spacing, intermolecular distance).
• Saturation implies:
  • A maximum achievable structural distortion, or
  • A phase/state that cannot be further driven by higher fluence.

This figure supports the idea that the response is nonlinear but bounded.

File: main_figure_data_fig4.xlsx

Description: X-ray scattering during the densification and decompression processes of LDA at different laser fluences.

(A) 4 J/cm² WAXS (B) 11 J/cm² WAXS (C) 15 J/cm² WAXS

(D) selected scattering shots from 15 J/cm²

(E) LDA 15 J/cm² 25 ns WAXS, HDA 15 J/cm² 200 ns WAXS 

Variables

• q in Å^-1 unit
• I (q) in arbitrary unit (a. u.)

• Overall intensities are higher than Fig. 2 (note the larger baseline values).
• Time-dependent changes are still present, but:
  • The relative magnitude
  • The relaxation behavior
    differ from Fig. 2.

• This corresponds to:
  • A different sample
  • A different pump fluence
  • Or a different experimental condition (temperature, environment, composition)
• Comparing Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 shows how initial structure or excitation strength affects dynamics.