Vol. 36, Issue 2-3, pp. 163-179 (2006)

Abstract

The present status of high-pressure research with the diamond anvil cell (DAC) is described, focusing mainly on use of this technique in optical spectroscopy. After a brief description of the history of the development of high-pressure measurements, the principles of DAC technique are described in more detail. Then different applications of this technique to high-pressure research are discussed, including optical spectroscopy, electrical measurements, X-ray diffractometry and other measurements. Results obtained for selected materials, with a view to illustrating the physics behind high-pressure phenomena, are presented and discussed. These include high-pressure luminescence studies of Cr³⁺ or Yb³⁺-doped lithium niobate crystal (LiNbO₃) as well as Cr³⁺ and Nd³⁺-doped lanthanum lutetium gallium garnet crystal (La₃Lu₂Ga₃O₁₂). Finally, the boundary of high-pressure spectroscopy usefulness is shown. The example of such a case is the study of Cr³⁺-doped MgO-2.5Al₂O₃ non-stoichiometric green spinel.