In situ observation of pressure-induced electrical resistance changes in zirconium: pressure calibration points for the large volume press at 8 and 35 GPa

Simultaneous in situ pressure–resistance measurements were carried out up to 40 GPa using a multianvil apparatus with synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Pressure-induced electrical resistance changes in zirconium were measured at ambient temperatures and two discontinuities were observed around the α–ω and ω–β structural phase transitions. The transition pressures were strictly determined from simultaneous measurements of the electrical resistance and in situ XRD as 7.96±0.16 and 34.5±0.3 GPa, respectively, using an equation of state for gold as the pressure scale. The precisely determined transition pressures are available for room temperature pressure calibration points for large volume presses installed at offline laboratories.     

The relation between composition in laser absorption region and ambient pressure

In this paper, the compositions in a laser absorption region can be determined from the experiment of laser impulse coupling. When the ambient pressure varies from 9325 to 33325Pa, the compositions are vapour and plasma; while from 35325 to 101325Pa, they are ambient air and plasma. By analysing the relation between the degree of compression and the ambient pressure, the compositions can be determined and the variation of plasma can be explained.     

Quasi-isentropic compression of liquid argon at pressure ≈ 1000 GPa

The measurement of the density of liquid argon at a pressure of about 1000 GPa in a cylindrical setup transforming shock compression to quasi-isentropic compression gives a value of about 9 g/cm³. The experimental data are compared with calculations. The results bring out clearly that no anomaly is observed in the behavior of isentropically compressed liquid argon at pressures up to about 1000 GPa.     

Synchrotron x-ray-diffraction study of α-cristobalite at high pressure and high temperature

Abstract

Energy-dispersive x-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation was carried out on α-cristobalite to 3 GPa and 350°C in a cubic anvil press. A cascading structural phase transition occurred beyond 0.61 GPa at room temperature. The transition was accompanied by a splitting of most of the a-cristobalite reflections: the (111) reflection at 0.61 GPa through the (211) reflections at 2.13 GPa, with many other lines between. The pressure of this transition decreased with increasing temperature.     

Thermoelastic parameter αKT of sodium chloride at high pressure and high temperature

Two different potential models to the molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been applied to investigate the thermoelastic parameter αK_T of sodium chloride (NaCl) under high pressure and high temperature. The first one is the shell model (SM) potential that due to the short-range interaction when pairs of ions are moved together as is the case in that polarization of a crystal due to the motion of the positive and negative ions, and the second one is the two-body rigid-ion Born–Mayer–Huggins–Fumi–Tosi (BMHFT) potential with full treatment of long-range Coulomb forces. Particular attention is paid to the comparison of the SM- and BMHFT-MD simulations with the Debye model for the first time, and this model combines with ab initio calculations within local density approximation (LDA) and generalized gradient approximation (GGA) using ultrasoft pseudopotentials and a plane-wave basis in the framework of density functional theory (DFT), and it takes into account the phononic effects within the quasi-harmonic approximation. Note that the MD calculated volumes using SM model is somewhat larger than both the DFT and experimental volumes despite not considering the temperature effect. Compared with SM potential, the MD simulated 300 K isotherm of NaCl with BMHFT potential is very successful in reproducing accurately the measured volumes and the GGA calculated volumes. Generally, it is found that there exist minor differences between the LDA and GGA computed the thermoelastic parameter αK_T of NaCl, with both average results giving good agreement with SM-MD simulations. At an extended pressure and temperature ranges, the variation of thermoelastic parameter αK_T which play a central role in the formulation of approximate equations of state has also been predicted. The properties of NaCl are summarized in the pressure range of 0–300 kbar and the temperature up to 2000 K.     

Influence of ambient pressure on properties and expansion of laser-induced plasma

A Nd:YAG pulsed laser is used to ablate HgCdTe target at different ambient pressures, the emission spectrum is detected by a time- and space-resolved diagnostic technique. It is found that the characteristics of time-resolved emission spectra are influenced by the pressure of background gas. A theoretical model is developed to investigate expansion mechanism of plasma, the time evolution of the propagation distances and the velocities of plasma plume are calculated by the model at pressures of 1.01×105, 1000, and 5 Pa, respectively. The calculated results are well consistent with the experimental data.     

Development of a technique for high pressure neutron diffraction at 40 GPa with a Paris-Edinburgh press

ABSTRACT

We have developed a technique for neutron diffraction experiments at pressures up to 40?GPa using a Paris-Edinburgh press at the PLANET beamline in J-PARC. To increase the maximum accessible pressure, the diameter of the dimple for sample chamber at the top of the sintered diamond anvils is sequentially reduced from 4.0?mm to 1.0?mm. As a result, the maximum pressure increased and finally reached 40?GPa. By combining this technique with the beam optics which defines the gauge volume, diffraction patterns sufficient for full-structure refinements are obtainable at such pressures.     

Infrared study of hydrogen up to 310 GPa at room temperature

We observed a strong difference of the pressure dependence of the infrared (IR) active molecular vibron of hydrogen in phase IV in the 200–310 GPa pressure range in comparison with the Raman vibrons. While the Raman vibron strongly splits (～250 cm^?1) at the transition from phases III to IV at 220 GPa, the IR vibron nearly does not change. This small spitting of IR vibron is not described by the graphene-like structure proposed for phase IV. The combined pressure dependence of Raman and IR vibrons provides a sensitive test for further theoretical models of phase IV.     

Structural and electronic properties of wurtzite,zincblende and rocksalt Al1 − xInxN ternary alloys at ambient and high pressure

ABSTRACT

Although AlInN is originally a wurtzite structure, zincblende and rocksalt are other potential phases. It will be interesting to have a comparative study of the physical properties of this compound in various phases. A DFT-based study of wurtzite, zincblende and rocksalt phases of AlInN alloys is carried out. Structural (lattice parameter, bulk modulus) and electronic properties (energy band gap, and electron effective mass) of the Al_{1??? x}In_xN alloys are investigated, at ambient pressure, throughout the whole range of indium contents for all considered phases. High pressure effects on the studied parameters are also examined, with the phase transition pressures computed for different values of In concentrations, and compared with available data. Structural density functional calculations are performed with Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof gradient-corrected functional for solids (PBEsol), while electronic structure is computed with the modified Becke–Johnson (TB-mBJ) potential exchange to ensure a better accuracy of calculated the band gaps. Alloy randomness is taken into account using a special quasi-random structure.     

Pressure–volume–temperature equations of state of Au and Pt up to 300 GPa and 3000 K: internally consistent pressure scales

By using a Mie–Grüneisen-type analysis method, the pressure–volume–temperature equations of state (P–V–T EOSs) of Au and Pt have been determined up to 300?GPa and 3000?K based on the experimental shock Hugoniot and thermodynamic data. The calculated results of Au and Pt show an excellent agreement with available experimental volume compression data over a wide range of pressures and temperatures. A comparison of our results with previous theoretical investigations has also been done. In addition, we have further examined the consistency of our results and the P–V–T EOS of MgO [K. Jin, X.Z. Li, Q. Wu, H.Y. Geng, L.C. Cai, X.M. Zhou, and F.Q. Jing, The pressure–volume–temperature equation of state of MgO derived from shock Hugoniot data and its application as a pressure scale, J. Appl. Phys. 107 (2010), pp. 113518] using simultaneous volume measurements of Au, Pt, and MgO at various temperatures. The good agreement among the P–V–T EOSs of Au, Pt, and MgO implies that these EOSs can be used as the reliable pressure scales in high pressure–temperature diamond anvil cell experiments.     

Remaining of ϵ-iron structure at atmospheric pressure and superlattice formation by shearing at high pressure

Transmission X-ray diffraction pattern of iron sheared at high pressure show rings whose interplanar spacings correspond to those of ?-iron and their integral multiple, in spite of the fact that it has been kept at atmospheric pressure for ～3 months from the shearing. This and other related phenomena suggest that the pattern corresponds to the remains of the ?-iron structure in which superlattice formed. The volume of the specimen at atmospheric pressure after elapsing ～3 months at atmospheric pressure from the shearing was 86% of that before the shearing.     

In situ complex impedance spectroscopy of mantle minerals measured at 20 GPa and 1400°C

Electrical conductivities of mantle silicate minerals (Mg_0·9Fe_0·1)₂SiO₄ olivine, wadsleyite and ringwoodite were determined at pressures up to 20 GPa and temperatures up to 1400°C using complex impedance spectroscopy in a high pressure multianvil apparatus. All samples were polycrystalline, synthesized in separate high pressure experiments prior to the electrical measurements. Olivine conductivities up to 10 GPa are very close to values determined at ambient pressure under controlled oxygen fugacities in previous studies indicating a very small pressure dependence. The conductivities of wadsleyite at 15 GPa and ringwoodite at 20 GPa are similar, and both about 100 times greater than for olivine. When compared to conductivity models of Earth's mantle, these results suggest that the steep increase in conductivity near the transition zone is mainly due to the olivine to wadsleyite phase transformation at 410 km depth, with only minor changes in conductivity occurring over the wadsleyite to ringwoodite transformation near 520 km depth.     

The influence of pressure on spontaneous magnetization of Fe60Mn20B20 amorphous alloy at temperature range 77.4–300 K

Abstract

Amorphous, ferromagnetic, invar like, Fe₆₀ Mn₂₀ B₂₀ alloy has been investigated. Two kinds of experiments were carried out for this alloy. The first, using high pressure technique, revealed the influence of pressure on B(H) dependencies within the wide range of temperature under pressure of 0.5 GPa. From the magnetization curves obtained during these experiments the decrease of spontaneous magnetization caused by applied pressure 0.5 GPa at temperature -180°C has been calculated at the rate about 7 10^?11T/Pa.

In the second kind of experiments the measurements of volume magnetostriction up to 720 kA/m magnetic field intensity have been done. Volume magnetostriction coefficient at temperature 77.4 K has been determined to be about 2 10^?11 [A/m]^?1.     

High temperature point defect equilibrium of undoped α-ZnP2 at zinc pressure

The dependences of electric conductivity and Hall density of holes vs pressure of Zn vapour have been measured in α-ZnP₂ in the temperature range between 780 and 960K. Conductivity decreases with zinc pressure increasing with slope γ, which varies from γ = 0.14−0.15 at T = 780−830K to γ = 0.22−0.24 at 890−960K. Such slopes correspond to the following defect types 2[V″_Zw] = [(V′_ZwV_p)] at T = 780−830 K and [V′_Zw] = [(V′_ZnV_p)] at T = 890−960K. The formation enthalpy tor two doubly charged phosphorus vacancies was found to be 6.12 eV.     

Quasi-isentropic compressibility of deuterium and helium at pressures of 1500–5000 GPa

The quasi-isentropic compressibilities of deuterium and helium plasmas are measured in the pressure range 1500–5000 GPa at densities up to 8 g/cm³ using spherical experimental devices and an X-ray complex consisting of three betatrons and a multichannel optoelectronic system for taking X-ray images. The experimental results demonstrate the possibilities of high-energy-density experimental physics to reproduce the extreme states of substance typical of the Universe under laboratory conditions using the energy of traditional condensed explosives.     

Moderate hydrostatic pressure–temperature combinations for inactivation of Bacillus subtilis spores

We report the effect of using moderate hydrostatic pressure, 40–140?MPa, at moderate temperature (38–58°C) to inactivate Bacillus subtilis spores in McIlvaine's citric phosphate buffer at pH 6. We have investigated several parameters: pressure applied, holding time, pressure cycling, and temperature. The kinetics of spore inactivation is reported. The results show that spore inactivation is exponentially proportional to the time the sample is exposed to pressure. Spore germination and inactivation occur at the hydrostatic pressures/temperature combinations we explored. Cycling the pressure while keeping the total time at high pressure constant does not significantly increase spore inactivation. We show that temperature increases spore inactivation at two different rates; a slow rate below 33°C, and at a more rapid rate at higher temperatures. Increasing pressure leads to an increase in spore inactivation below 95?MPa; however, further increases in pressure give a similar rate kill. The time dependence of the effect of pressure is consistent with the first-order model (R²?>?0.9). The thermal resistance values (Z_T) of B. subtilis spores are 30°C, 37°C, and 40°C at 60, 80, 100?MPa. The increase in Z_T value at higher pressures indicates lower temperature sensitivity. The pressure resistance values (Z_P) are 125, 125 and 143?MPa at 38°C, 48°C, and 58°C. These Z_P values are lower than those reported for B. subtilis spores in the literature, which indicates higher sensitivity at pressures less than about 140?MPa. We show that at temperatures <60°C, B. subtilis spores are inactivated at pressures below 100?MPa. This finding could have implications for the design of the sterilization equipment.     

Pressure and temperature dependence of the structure of liquid Sn up to 5.3 GPa and 1373 K

Pressure and temperature dependence of the structure of liquid Sn has been measured up to 5.3?GPa and 1373?K using multi-angle energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction in Paris–Edinburgh cell. Under nearly isobar condition at ～1?GPa, liquid Sn displays a normal behavior with gradual structural changes with temperature up to 1373?K. Under isothermal compressions at 850 and 1373?K, however, the structure factors of liquid Sn both show a turn-over at ～3?GPa in the height of the first diffraction peak. According to the hard sphere cluster model, the structure of liquid Sn may be viewed as two different types of clusters. Below ～3?GPa, it is shown that the packing fraction of the dominant cluster (occupying ～0.94 fraction) changes with compression, while above ～3?GPa, the packing fractions and the hard sphere diameters of both clusters start to influence the structure, causing significant changes with increasing pressure. Our results suggest that the compression behavior of liquid Sn changes from localized densification only in one cluster below ～3?GPa to homogeneous structural changes in both clusters above ～3?GPa.     

A Mössbauer study of La1−xEuxB6 compounds synthesized at high pressure and temperature

A series of hexaborides La_1?xEu_xB₆ (x=0.0–1.0) were synthesized under a pressure of 3.5 GPa and at a temperature of 1600^○C using La₂O₃, Eu₂O₃ and amorphous boron as the starting materials. The products were characterized by X‐ray Diffraction (XRD) and Mössbauer spectroscopy. XRD data analysis shows that all samples crystallize in a cubic CsCl‐type structure, and the cell volume increases with x. Room temperature ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer measurements reveal that Eu ions in all samples are in the divalent state, except for the x=1.0 sample where a small amount of Eu³⁺ ions was detected. The quadrupole splitting of the Eu²⁺ ions is positive. Eu ions were reduced from trivalent to divalent during the high‐pressure and ‐temperature processes. The isomer shifts of the Eu²⁺ ions are all smaller than ?12.5 mm/s, suggesting that there is no valence fluctuation in the samples. The hexaborides doped by divalent Eu are not metallic.