Some consequences of the pressure gradients in Bridgman Anvil Devices

The general characteristics of the radial pressure distribution between Bridgman anvils are set forth on the basis of scattered observations reported in the literature. Some new experimental evidence obtained on the mineral olivine is presented and shown to conform to these generalizations. A pressure distribution consisting of two linear components is postulated and shown to be consistent with the available data. This pressure distribution is used to analyze several common types of anvil experiments, such as the observation of phase transformations and the measurement of shear strength. Correction factors are derived and presented graphically so that the error which arises when the pressure gradients are neglected can be readily estimated.