Accessing alkali metal polycarbides by high pressure high temperature synthesis

The aim of this project is the investigation of alkali metal acetylides A2C2 (A=Li-K) at high pressures and high temperatures using laser-heated diamond anvil cells, which is expected to lead to the formation of polycarbides.
In addition to Raman spectroscopy, synchrotron radiation will be used to monitor reactions by mapping the samples in the DAC as well as for structure solution via SCXRD. As reaction products often crystallize as multi-grains in DACs, a micro-focussed beam is necessary for sufficient data quality.