DIAMOND ANVIL CELL

The superstrength and transparency of diamond crystals were known to the Ancients. The physical principle P = F/A was known to the Ancients. Opposed anvil presses made from various metals and alloys were used by the Ancients as a tool employed in various trades. In Rennaisance Europe and afterwards, with the invention of the optical microscope there could easily have been discovered the "diamond anvil cell". Maybe a Rennaisance European scientist created a "diamond anvil cell" in the 1700's but never reported it. In any case, it is entirely obvious how to make a diamond anvil cell from the statements made above this one. The diamond anvil cell could have been discovered in ancient Greece or ancient Rome using a magnifying glass. In contrast with the various microscopes, including the optical microscope, they employ sophisticated principles of waves and interference and later principles of quantum theory in their construction and operation. The "diamond anvil cell" uses no quantum principles at all, and only the classical principles of P = F/A and optical transparency. The "development" of high pressure physics was entirely due to Bridgman working alone as he invented the opposed anvil design (based upon the simple physical principles mentioned above) but he greatly extended the range over which pressures could be measured and attained.......the diamond anvil cell added to Bridgman's work but the later developments due to the DAC were an obvious extension (though profound) of Bridgman's work. There were no new physical principles applied or discovered as a result of the development of the "diamond anvil cell". And there has been no value added synthesis of new materials with the DAC.