Pressure distribution in the diamond anvil press and the shear strenght of fayalite

Abstract

High-pressure cells, using opposed diamond anvils, have become an increasingly sophisticated tool for high-pressure research as the high-pressure environment within th cell becomes more quantitatively established. We have used the ruby fluorescence technique for measuring pressure to obtain the radial distribution of pressure between the diamond anvils for samples of fayalite (Fe2SiO4). Precompacted specimens appeared to be in a conditon of extrusion, limited by the plastic strength of the fayalite aggregate formed. Specimens which were not precompacted were too thin to show this condition.