title: Using stepped anvils to make even insulation layers in laser-heated diamond-anvil cell samples.
abstract: We describe a method to make even insulation layers for high-pressure laser-heated diamond-anvil cell samples using stepped anvils. The method works for both single-sided and double-sided laser heating using solid or fluid insulation. The stepped anvils are used as matched pairs or paired with a flat culet anvil to make gasket insulation layers and not actually used at high pressures; thus, their longevity is ensured. We compare the radial temperature gradients and Soret diffusion of iron between self-insulating samples and samples produced with stepped anvils and find that less pronounced Soret diffusion occurs in samples with even insulation layers produced by stepped anvils.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA.
authors.forename: Zhixue
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA.
authors.forename: Tingting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA.
authors.forename: Vasilije
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dobrosavljevic
authors.affiliation: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA.
authors.forename: Samuel T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Weir
authors.affiliation: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Falabella
authors.affiliation: Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA.
authors.forename: Kanani K M
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Lee