High Pressure Studies of Materials: Basics

With the application of high pressure, volume/atom can be reduced to a small fraction of its initial value. Such high compressions lead to drastic changes in the physical properties of materials, also influencing their likely applications. Moreover, the results of investigations on materials under high pressure provide stringent tests for the theoretical understanding of fundamental physics of materials. This chapter deals with the basics of response of materials—compressed using static and shock high pressures. We also discuss a wide range of recent experimental developments which are contributing toward a comprehensive understanding of materials. Examples of several recent experimental investigations are discussed to elucidate the variety of macroscopic and atomistic knowledge gained through such studies.