Generation of pressures over 40 GPa using Kawai-type multi-anvil press with tungsten carbide anvils.

We have generated over 40 GPa pressures, namely, 43 and 44 GPa, at ambient temperature and 2000 K, respectively, using Kawai-type multi-anvil presses (KMAP) with tungsten carbide anvils for the first time. These high-pressure generations were achieved by combining the following pressure-generation techniques: (1) precisely aligned guide block systems, (2) high hardness of tungsten carbide, (3) tapering of second-stage anvil faces, (4) materials with high bulk modulus in a high-pressure cell, and (5) high heating efficiency. (C) 2016 AIP Publishing LLC.