High-Pressure Physics

High-pressure science has experienced a revolution in the past 15 years. Knowledge of the behavior of matter under conditions of extreme pressure is essential for describing the interior state. The development of intense new x-ray and neutron sources, improved detectors, new instrumentation, greatly increased computation power, and advanced computational algorithms have enabled researchers to determine the behavior of matter at static pressures in excess of 400 GPa. High-pressure phenomena refers to the changes in physical, chemical, and structural characteristics that matter undergoes when subjected to high pressure. Pressure thus serves as a versatile tool in materials research, and it is especially important in the investigation of the rocks and minerals that form the deep interior of the Earth and other planets. In spite of the superficial similarity between temperature and pressure, these two variables are fundamentally different in the ways they affect a materials internal energy. Temperature alterations reflect changes in the kinetic energy and thus in the thermodynamic behaviour of vibrating atoms. Increased pressure, on the other hand, changes the energy of atomic bonds by forcing atoms closer together in a smaller volume. Pressure thus serves as a powerful analysis of atomic interactions and chemical bonding. Furthermore, pressure is an important tool for synthesising dense structures, including superhard materials, novel solidified gases and liquids, and mineral-like phases suspected to occur deep within the Earth and other planets. The book introduces the state of the art experimental and theoretical techniques in this field. It emphasises scientific challenges in condensed matter under thrilling conditions of pressure and temperature, synthesis and characterisation of novel materials, and employs state-of-the-art experimental facilities and technologies. Emphasising applications in a range of physics disciplines -- this book cuts across many areas and delivers a solid instruction in high-pressure physics. The book, providing an overview of key research areas and applications in high-pressure physics, will be a valuable tool for advanced graduate students and young researchers.