Investigations of phase transitions and melting/recrystallization dynamics in elemental Selenium under pressure with controlled fast heating

In this proposal, we aim to investigate the local structure, phase transitions and melting/recrystallization dynamics of elemental Selenium using x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The use of our recently developed internally heated diamond anvil cell (DAC) system will allow us to measure XAS spectra and single energy temperature scans with controlled fast heating/cooling rates (100-150 K/s), allow us to investigate the various fundamental open question about the phase behavior in Selenium and similar simple substances. The proposed experiments combine the advantages of the new internally heated DAC and the opportunities offered by the new EBS source for studying the dynamics of phase transition under pressure in moderate high temperature range (below 1300 K) with controlled fast heating and cooling rates.