What does this research mean for the field?

At pressures exceeding 308 GPa, cubic ice X undergoes a first-order phase transition to ice XXII, an orthorhombic crystal structure with Pbcm symmetry that remains stable up to at least 340 GPa. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To experimentally realize and characterize the long-predicted pressure-induced symmetry breaking of cubic ice X into an orthorhombic crystal structure at ultrahigh pressures.

September 8, 2026Nature MaterialsOpen Access

Ultrahigh pressure phase transition in ice

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

IOIsrael OsmondUniversity of Edinburgh MKMikhail A. KuzovnikovMax Planck Society DLDavid LewisAustrian Academy of Sciences

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Experimental study observes a first-order phase transition from ice X to ice XXII in ultracompressed water, highlighting long-predicted pressure-induced symmetry breaking.

Key Points

To experimentally realize and characterize the long-predicted pressure-induced symmetry breaking of cubic ice X into an orthorhombic crystal structure at ultrahigh pressures.
Compressed dense H2O ice samples using diamond anvil cells to ultrahigh pressures exceeding 308(5) GPa and reaching at least 340(5) GPa.
Characterized structural evolution, crystal symmetry, and phase transitions in situ using synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy.
Demonstrated that post-symmetrization, the cubic crystal structure of ice X undergoes continuous distortion as pressure increases.
Observed a first-order phase transition at pressures above 308(5) GPa to ice XXII, possessing an orthorhombic structure with Pbcm symmetry that remains stable up to at least 340(5) GPa.

Cite This Study

Osmond et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9fd82058e84d0ff5b476b8 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-026-02732-1

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Experimental study observes a first-order phase transition from ice X to ice XXII in ultracompressed water, highlighting long-predicted pressure-induced symmetry breaking.

Ultrahigh pressure phase transition in ice

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Ultrahigh pressure phase transition in ice

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider