Overview
Our research program focuses on understanding the large-scale physical and chemical behavior of the Earth and other planets through experimental study of geological materials under extreme conditions of pressure and temperature. More generally, we use the laser-heated diamond anvil cell together with optical spectroscopy and x-ray techniques to explore crystal structures, phase relations, elasticity, and deformation behavior in a wide range of materials at ultra-high pressure and temperature conditions.

See here for an article by Tom Duffy in Nature surveying developments in modern high-pressure mineral physics research

See here for a news article describing our laser compression experiments.

Selected Duffy Group Research Topics:

	1. Elasticity and sound velocity at high pressures: Geophysics and materials science We use Brillouin spectroscopy in the diamond anvil cell to measure elastic wave velocities at high pressures and temperatures and use the results to construct compositional models for Earth’s interior. We also study sound velocities in a range of single crystal materials to examine anisotropic elasticity, interatomic interactions, mechanical properties, compressibility, and phase transition mechanisms.
	2. Crystal structures and phase transitions in minerals to 1 Mbar and beyond We use x-ray diffraction techniques in the diamond anvil cell to study phase transitions, equations of state, and structural response to high and ultrahigh compression. These experiments are carried out at synchrotron x-ray facilities including the Advanced Photon Source and the National Synchrotron Light Source.
	3. Strength and rheology under compression New diamond anvil cell techniques have been developed to measure lattice strains under intentionally non-hydrostatic conditions using synchrotron x-ray diffraction. These studies constrain yield strength and provide insights into other properties including elastic moduli, equation of state, and texture development to very high pressures. We are using this method to study different types of materials including metals, silicates, oxides, nitrides, superhard solids, nanomaterials, etc.
	4. Using lasers to generate ultrahigh P-T states of matter Ramp compression using high-powered lasers provides a means to generate extreme pressures in the solid state. In collaboration with colleagues at LLNL, we have initiated a program to study materials such as Fe and SiO2 to 10s of Mbar pressures using laser-based ramp compression platforms at the Omega facility at the University of Rochester and, in the future, the National Ignition Facility at LLNL.
	5. Optical spectroscopy for materials science and mineralogy Micro-Raman spectroscopy has many applications including non-destructive phase identification, study of phase transitions, and constraining thermodynamic properties. Our micro-Raman system is adapted for high-pressure studies in the diamond anvil cell. In recent years, our system has also been used for many ambient pressure projects, often in collaboration with scientists from other disciplines including studies of amorphous carbon phases, Si/Ge thin films, art objects, various geological samples, and gems.

Duffy Group
High-Pressure Mineral Physics and Materials Science Laboratory
Department of Geosciences
Princeton University