INTERFERENCE METHOD FOR MEASURING PRESSURES IN A DIAMOND-ANVIL CELL

A method for measuring pressures in a diamond anvil cell by using an i nterference-polarization microscope is described. The method is based on the effect of a pressure-caused decrease in the optical path differ ence as a result of a changing ratio between the refractive indices of a reference substance and an optical medium. A ruby crystal was used as a reference substance, and a methanol-ethanol mixture (4 : 1) serve d as an optical medium. A calibration curve describing the change in t he optical path difference as a function of applied pressure was obtai ned.