The membrane diamond anvil cell: A new device for generating continuous pressure and temperature variations

Abstract
A new design for a diamond anvil cell is described. Its main originality is that the force on the piston is generated by pressurized helium, which pushes an annular membrane. It specially permits fine control and adjustment of the force Applied to the anvils, spatial stability of the sample under varying pressure, axial thrust and large optical aperture on both sides of the cell. Selected applications are presented.