title: Deformation T-Cup: a new multi-anvil apparatus for controlled strain-rate deformation experiments at pressures above 18 GPa.
abstract: A new multi-anvil deformation apparatus, based on the widely used 6-8 split-cylinder, geometry, has been developed which is capable of deformation experiments at pressures in excess of 18 GPa at room temperature. In 6-8 (Kawai-type) devices eight cubic anvils are used to compress the sample assembly. In our new apparatus two of the eight cubes which sit along the split-cylinder axis have been replaced by hexagonal cross section anvils. Combining these anvils hexagonal-anvils with secondary differential actuators incorporated into the load frame, for the first time, enables the 6-8 multi-anvil apparatus to be used for controlled strain-rate deformation experiments to high strains. Testing of the design, both with and without synchrotron-X-rays, has demonstrated the Deformation T-Cup (DT-Cup) is capable of deforming 1-2 mm long samples to over 55% strain at high temperatures and pressures. To date the apparatus has been calibrated to, and deformed at, 18.8 GPa and deformation experiments performed in conjunction with synchrotron X-rays at confining pressures up to 10 GPa at 800 °C .
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Simon A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.affiliation: Mineral Physics Institute, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2100, USA.
authors.forename: Donald J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Weidner
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: McCormack
authors.affiliation: Mineral Physics Institute, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2100, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Whitaker
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.affiliation: Mineral Physics Institute, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2100, USA.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Mineral Physics Institute, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2100, USA.
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Vaughan
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Dobson