Optical spectroscopy combined in situ with instrumented indentation

Modern trends in the development of experimental research methods imply not only an increase in the accuracy of a specific technique but also the possibility of combining diverse measurements in the course of one experiment. While optical spectroscopy remains one of the most powerful tools used in the chemical and physical sciences to study the structure of a wide range of materials, it is impossible to imagine a single study of local mechanical properties without instrumental indentation. A powerful investigation technique is the in situ combination of these two methods within one experiment. This can be made by focusing the laser either through the transparent sample or through the transparent indenter tip of the special geometry preventing the total internal reflection in diamond. This Tutorial discusses the preparation and characterization of such a transparent diamond indenter. The obtained experimental results and promising application areas of simultaneous measurement of optical spectra during indentation are considered. Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.