HIGH PRESSURE MELTING CURVE OF TELLURIUM

Tellurium high pressure melting curve was measured in a laser heated diamond anvil cell (LHDAC). By using a customized low light IR pyrometer, we could accurately measure the in-situ temperature of the heated spot. The pyrometer high sensitivity allows the measurement of temperatures as low as 500 K and up to several thousand Kelvin. The precision of the melting curve measurements in a LHDAC is largely limited by a correct and reliable determination of the onset of melting. Melting temperatures at high-pressure were identified by image analysis of an auxiliary laser light scattering images, taken from the surface of the hot spot, and designed to detect changes in the sample surface due to melting. Using this setup, Te melting curve was measured up to a pressure of 35 GPa. Our results are found to be in good agreement with previous data obtained at pressures up to 10 GPa.