A four‐probe technique is described for measuring the electrical resistance of metals in a diamond‐anvil cell at pressures up to 40 GPa. The pressure range for electrical resistance measurements was extended by developing insulating gaskets that provide the necessary support for the diamonds and the electrical leads at the diamond edges. The various gasket materials and construction methods that were tested fall into two categories: (1) gaskets made entirely of insulating materials, and (2) gaskets made of metal coated with insulating materials. Gaskets developed in each category were used successfully in making resistance measurements up to 40 GPa. The most reliable gaskets were composites of sheet mica and MgO powder. This report describes the testing and development of the gaskets and presents electrical resistance data obtained for iron and beryllium to 40 GPa.

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© 1983 American Institute of Physics.
1983
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