Development of a large volume press assembly using a piezoelectric crystal for in situ and real-time measurement of stress during deformatio

Measuring in situ and real-time stress of samples in high-pressure and -temperature multi-anvil press deformation experiments has traditionally required a synchrotron for x-ray diffraction. However, by utilizing a piezoelectric crystal disk, such as quartz or GaPO4, in the deformation column within the assembly, it is possible to measure this stress in situ and real-time with typical laboratory equipment without requiring x-ray diffraction. This assembly has been designed and multiple experiments have already been done in the laboratory confirming the potential piezoelectric crystals. By using x-ray diffraction results as the control and comparing with piezoelectric measurements, the technique can be proven viable. Having an assembly able to measure in situ stresses during deformation experiments with multi-anvil presses in any laboratory without requiring a synchrotron will open many avenues of research into deformation of samples at high pressures and temperatures.