Research

I am interested in materials in extreme environments with applications to both mineral physics and materials science. Our group uses high-pressure-temperature experiments to explore the physical properties and phase stability of materials under extreme conditions up to and exceeding those at the center of the Earth. This includes studies of crystal structures, phase stability, elasticity, and deformation behavior. Our main tools include laser-drive and gas-gun dynamic compression coupled with laser interferometry and X-ray probes. Additionally, we use diamond-anvil cells combined with synchrotron X-ray scattering to investigate the crystal structure, lattice dynamics, and spin state of materials under static high-pressure and temperature conditions. This work provides experimental constraints on subjects ranging from planetary formation, high-pressure phases of deep planetary interiors, and materials for extreme applications.