Laser-heated diamond anvil cell system for photochemical reaction measurements

A laser heating system constructed for photochemical reaction within a diamond anvil cell features a tunable pulsed laser and an excimer laser ranging from ultraviolet to infrared in a continuous-wave Nd:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser heating system. Pulse duration is measured during experiments using a high-speed photoreceiver and pulse modes are measured by a beam profiler. High-purity synthetic diamond with high ultraviolet transmittance are used to avoid damaging the anvils. Decomposition of silver iodide by an excimer laser irradiation is confirmed under high pressure. This laser technology will, combined with high-pressure experiments, open up avenues in photochemical reaction processes. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.