The recent publication in the Journal of Applied Physics highlights the groundbreaking work of an international team of scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Argonne National Laboratory, and Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron. The team has made significant progress in developing a new sample configuration that enhances the reliability of equation of state measurements in high-pressure environments not previously achievable in the diamond anvil cell.
The innovative sample package developed by the team has opened up new possibilities for static compression experiments to pressures higher than 300 GPa. This level of pressure poses significant challenges, and the compression environment is often less than ideal. However, with the introduction of the new sample configuration, these challenges have been addressed, leading to improved equation of state data quality.
The LLNL-designed toroidal diamond anvil cell has been a game-changer in pushing the static pressure limit in condensed-matter sciences. The cell, capable of reaching over 300 GPa, has a sample chamber approximately 20 times smaller than the width of a human hair. This precision allows for accurate and reliable compression experiments at extreme pressure conditions.
The team developed a 10-step microfabrication process to create the sample package within the small chamber of the toroidal diamond anvil cell. The target material is embedded in a soft metal capsule, which acts as a pressure-transmitting medium. This capsule ensures the uniform distribution of stress around the sample material during compression, leading to precise equation-of-state measurements.
The experiments conducted at Argonne National Laboratory Sector 16 HPCAT and Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron PETRA-III validated the effectiveness of the new sample configuration. The methodology was tested on molybdenum with a copper pressure-transmitting medium, demonstrating its broad applicability across different materials.
Lead author Claire Zurkowski emphasized that this work is just the beginning of sample-package microfabrication in the toroidal diamond anvil cell. The team anticipates that this innovative sample-encapsulation method will revolutionize static equation of state calibrations across various scientific disciplines, including physics, chemistry, and planetary science materials.
This research not only represents a significant advancement in high-pressure experimentation but also opens up new avenues for exploring materials under extreme conditions. The development of the new sample configuration paves the way for more accurate and reliable equation of state measurements, helping scientists better understand the behavior of materials at ultra-high pressures.