MASTERCLASS: Introduction to Diamond Anvil Cells – theoretical and practical aspects

For more than six decades, the Diamond Anvil Cell (DAC) has been the only device capable of generating static pressure exceeding Megabar = 100 GPa and temperatures above 3000 K, allowing to study materials structure and properties with X-ray, optical, electrical and a number of other techniques in-situ at extreme pressures and temperatures ranging from milli-kelvin to thousands of degrees. The purpose of this masterclass is to give an overview of diamond cells and accessories and familiarize the participants with both theoretical and practical aspects of the Diamond Cell Work: from various DAC designs and proper choice of the DAC types for different experiments through DAC preparation and sample loading, choice of gasket materials, pressure media, and pressure sensors, to generation pressure and temperature in multiple time-domain modes synchronized with selected probes. The lecture will be accompanied by practical demonstration of various types of DACs, preparation and sample loading. For comprehensive overview of diamond anvil cell techniques consider attending both master classes: DAC and XRD.