Laminated gaskets for absorption and electrical measurements in the diamond anvil cell

Abstract
We have developed gaskets laminated from two layers of steel both for optical absorption and for electrical measurements in the diamond anvil cell. For absorption, these gaskets provide masking around the sample, avoiding the need for imaging of the gasket hole. For electrical measurements, laminated gaskets avoid the need for specially prepared diamonds as the feedthrough wires are not in contact with the anvils. Using argon as a pressure medium, both techniques have been used up to about 50 kbar at 300 and at 10 K.