Measurements of x-ray diffraction for liquid metals under high pressure

Abstract

By using synchrotron radiation with high brightness, high energy, and continuous spectrum in energy, x-ray diffraction for liquid metals has been measured at pressures to 9 GPa and temperatures to 800 °C by a transmitting and energy-dispersive method. A cubic-type apparatus for high-pressure and high-temperature experiments was used. A thick specimen could be used as the absorption coefficient was small for high energy x rays (40–120 keV). A sharp slit system eliminated the background intensity from the pressure-transmitting medium and the sample container. This method has been applied to the investigation of pressure-induced structural changes in liquid selenium, gallium, and bismuth.