Ruby pressure scale in a low-temperature diamond anvil cell

Laser-excited N and R fluorescence lines of heavily doped ruby have been studied up to 26 GPa at low temperatures. While the intensity of the R lines at ambient pressure significantly decreases with decreasing temperature, the intensity of N lines originating from exchange-coupled Cr ion pairs is enhanced at low temperatures. The pressure induced wavelength shift of the N lines at 19 K is well fitted with an empirical formula similar to the equation for the R1 line, showing that the intense N line could be used as an alternative pressure scale at low temperatures. We also observe continuous increase in non-hydrostaticity with increasing pressure at low temperatures when silicone oil and 4:1 mixture of methanol and ethanol are used as pressure media.