Density measurements of noncrystalline materials at high pressure with diamond anvil cell

Rev Sci Instrum. 2007 Oct;78(10):103905. doi: 10.1063/1.2795662.

Abstract

We describe an x-ray absorption method for in situ density measurement of non-crystalline materials in the diamond anvil cell using a monochromatic synchrotron x-ray microbeam. Sample thickness, which is indispensable in the absorption method, can be determined precisely by extrapolating the thickness profile of the gasket obtained by x-ray absorption and diffraction measurements. Diamond deformation across the sample chamber becomes noticeable at high pressures above 10 GPa, which can be monitored with a precision better than 1%, as demonstrated by measurements on crystalline Ag. We have applied the developed method to measure densities of the classic network-forming GeO(2) glass in octahedral form at pressures up to 56 GPa. The fit to the pressure-volume data with the Birch-Murnaghan equation from 13 to 56 GPa gives parameters of V(0)=23.2+/-0.4 cm(3)mol and K=35.8+/-3.0 GPa, assuming that K(')=4. This method could be applicable for in situ determination of the density of liquids and other noncrystalline materials using a diamond anvil cell up to ultrahigh pressures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Absorptiometry, Photon / instrumentation*
  • Absorptiometry, Photon / methods
  • Crystallography
  • Diamond / chemistry*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Materials Testing / instrumentation*
  • Materials Testing / methods
  • Pressure
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Specimen Handling / instrumentation*
  • Specimen Handling / methods
  • X-Ray Diffraction / instrumentation*
  • X-Ray Diffraction / methods

Substances

  • Diamond