Novel materials at extreme conditions

Studies of extreme conditions are of great interest due to the ability to produce materials with properties that are not possible to achieve at ambient conditions. A number of novel materials have been predicted though simulation but have not yet been observed experimentally. These observations are made through the use of optical techniques and x-ray diffraction. Diamond anvil cells are used to attain the high pressures required for this project. This, combined with conventional and laser heating and cryogenic cooling techniques, allows a large parameter space to be explored in which these novel materials may exist.