Static High Pressure Research

The static high pressure effort at Los Alamos National Laboratory is focused on understanding the behavior of materials at extreme pressures and temperatures. This research provides greater fundamental understanding of the electronic and structural properties, which includes the ability to

• determine phase boundaries and structural assignments,
• generate isotherms, and
• measure strength characteristics.

DE-9's goal is to produce the highest quality static equation-of-state data available. We use standard x-ray diffraction methods, along with newer radial diffraction techniques that probe further into the high strain fields produced by high-pressure diamond anvil cells. Pressures as high as the earth's core (4 megabar) and temperatures as high as 5000 K can be achieved with diamond anvil cell technology. This research program is ideal for studying geophysical phenomena for possible application to weapons science.