X-ray and γ-ray spectroscopy of solids under pressure

This report briefly describes our studies of various materials at high pressures by means of x-ray and γ-ray absorption spectroscopy. High pressure provides a very effective means of studying materials. Virtually every property is altered from the color and crystal structure to the electrical and magnetic properties. The fundamental reason, of course, is that the quantum levels depend upon the atomic spacing so that both the electronic and vibrational structure is affected