QUICKpress: Executing Experiments（2018-10）

QUICKpress experiments begin withpreparation of the starting material. The starting material is often loadedinto a chemically-inert metal capsule and sealed using a small DC arc-welder.Chemical systems not subject to redox reactions and containing low vaporpressure components, such as those of oxide ceramics, may be encased inunsealed capsules. An infinite variety of starting materials and capsules ispossible and limited only by the imagination of the researcher. For example,very-high chemical activities of normally gaseous molecules such as oxygen ornitrogen can be obtained by adding materials such as platinum-dioxide ornitrides to the sample capsule.

Executing a QUICKpress experiment involvesputting together a furnace assembly and inserting it into the cylinder core.This operation typically requires 5 to 15 minutes depending on the experienceof the researcher. The QUICKpress can be stabilized at desired pressure andtemperature conditions in another 5 to 10 minutes. Run durations range fromseveral minutes to several days. Quenching the experiment and extraction of thesample requires a final 5 minutes.

The furnace assembly consists of a set ofnested cylinders composed of Al2O3, NaCl, graphite and glass. A glass-sleevefurnace assembly is used for high-tempeature experiments (>1000 °C).Experiments conducted below this temperature employ a thicker salt cell thateliminates the glass sleeve from the furnace assembly.