LFU:online

The learning outcomes of this course are as follows:

The participants of this course are able to

1.     explain the theoretical principles and the scope of applications of some of the high pressure-high temperature experimental methods most commonly used in Earth and materials sciences

2.     design, prepare and carry out with minimal supervision a high pressure-high temperature experiment

3.   anticipate potential problems with respect to the conceptual and technical approach and to propose solutions to these problems

4.     identify and avoid potential dangers associated with the handling of hydraulic machinery

1.     Presentation of the theoretical principles and the scope of applications of the piston cylinder and multi anvil apparatus, and of externally heated hydrothermal pressure vessels (includes principles of pressure and temperature generation and measurement/control; assembly and sample container materials and designs; control of oxygen fugacity)

2.     Practical lab work embedded in a project that is designed based on a topical issue of high pressure research; this may include preparation of starting materials, assembly of experimental assemblies for the devices used, preparation of thermocouples, conduct of a high pressure high temperature experiments

3.     after a successful experiment: preparation of the experimental charge for analysis of the run products

4.     quantitative chemical and textural analysis and of the experimental run products with the electron microprobe (WDX and EDX measurements, BSE-SE-CL imaging and compositional mapping); if appropriate: Raman spectroscopic analysis to identify phase polymorphs

practical work in the chemistry and high pressure lab; this involves preparation of sample containers for the experimental charges including arc-welding of noble metals, handling and preparation of materials required for the experimental assemblies (metals and ceramics); working with hydraulic machinery

lab report in written form

Holloway, J.R. and Wood, B.J. (1988) Simulating the Earth; Unwin Hyman Boston; 196 pp

Keppler, H. and Frost, D.J. (2005) Introduction to Minerals under extreme Conditions; in: Miletich, R. (Ed.) Mineral behaviour at extreme conditions. European Mineralogical Union Notes in Mineralogy Vol. 7. ISBN electronic: 9780903056465; ISBN print: 9789634638377

no special qualifications are required; however basic knowledge of microchemical and spectroscopic analysis and interest in precision mechanical work (involving the use of a stereo microscope) would be an advantage.