Terapascal static pressure generation with ultrahigh yield strength nanodiamond

N. Dubrovinskaia, L. Dubrovinsky, N. A. Solopova, A. Abakumov, S. Turner, M. Hanfland, E. Bykova, M. Bykov, C. Prescher, V. B. Prakapenka, S. Petitgirard, I. Chuvashova, B. Gasharova, Y.-L. Mathis, P. Ershov, I. Snigireva, A. Snigirev

Science Advances 2, e1600341, (2016); DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1600341
http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/2/7/e1600341

Studies of materials’ properties at high and ultrahigh pressures lead to discoveries of unique physical and chemical phenomena and a deeper understanding of matter. In high-pressure research, an achievable static pressure limit is imposed by the strength of available strong materials and design of high-pressure devices.

Using a high-pressure and high-temperature large-volume press technique, we synthesized optically transparent microballs of bulk nanocrystalline diamond, which were found to have an exceptional yield strength due to the unique microstructure of bulk nanocrystalline diamond. We used the nanodiamond balls in a double-stage diamond anvil cell high-pressure device that allowed us to generate static pressures beyond 1 TPa, as demonstrated by synchrotron x-ray diffraction.

Outstanding mechanical properties (strain-dependent elasticity, very high hardness, and unprecedented yield strength) make the nanodiamond balls a unique device for ultrahigh static pressure generation. Structurally isotropic, homogeneous, and made of a low-Z material, they are promising in the field of x-ray optical applications.

Preparation of a ds-DAC using the Scios DualBeam (FIB) system: A semiball of nanocrystalline diamond is manipulated to be used as a second-stage anvil. Photo Credit: Leonid Dubrovinsky and Natalia Dubrovinskaia.

Bayerisches Geoinstitut, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
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