A finite-element study of sapphire anvils for increased sample volumes

Abstract

Diamond anvil cells enable over $\mathrm{Mbar}$ sample pressures to be generated, but remain unsuitable for many measurements due to the limited sample volume available. Larger sapphire anvils have enabled approximately an order of magnitude increase in sample volume, but fail to reach similar pressures due to the mechanical differences between sapphire and diamond, and the difficulties in containing larger sample volumes under pressure. To understand the origin of these limitations, finite element analyses of large sapphire anvils have been performed and compared with experimental loading data.

Keywords:

• finite element analysis
• sapphire anvils
• shape optimisation
• opposed anvil pressure cells

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Compressive yield stress, ${\sigma }_c$; tensile yield stress, ${\sigma }_t$.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank the EPSRC and STFC funding bodies for supporting this work.