High-pressure research with synchrotron radiation

High-pressure research has undergone a quiet revolution over the past 15 years. This is a result of the creation and evolution of the diamond-anvil cell, an inexpensive, compact and transparent tool that allows one to perform a wide variety of experiments on materials subjected to extreme static pressures. By working with samples that measure only 0.1 mm on a side, the diamond-anvil cell can reach and hold pressures in excess of a million atmospheres