X-ray and {Gamma}-ray spectroscopy of solids under pressure: Final technical progress report, November 1993--October 1996

This report briefly describes the studies of various materials at high pressures, in the last three years, by means of x-ray and {gamma}-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 are affected