Recent X-ray diffraction studies on α-quartz (SiO₂) by Kingmaet al [1], have shown the occurrence of a reversible, crystalline-to-crystalline, phase transition just prior to amorphization at ≈ 21 GPa. This precursor transition has also been confirmed by our recent molecular dynamics simulation study [2]. In order to investigate the possibility of a similar behaviour in other isostructural compounds, which also undergo pressure induced amorphization, α-GeO₂ and α-AlPO₄ (berlinite form) were studied using energy dispersive X-ray diffraction. In either of these materials, no such phase transition is detected prior to amorphization. The onset of amorphization and its reversal is found to be time dependent in GeO₂.

Infrared absorption and Raman study ofβ-Ni(OH)₂ has been carried out up to 25 GPa and 33 GPa, respectively. The frequency ofA_2u internal antisymmetric stretching O-H mode decreases linearly with pressure at a rate of −0.7 cm⁻1/GPa. The FWHM of this mode increases continuously with pressure and reaches a value of ∼ 120 cm⁻¹ around 25 GPa. There was no discernible change observed in the frequency and width of the symmetric stretchingA_1g O-H Raman mode up to 33 GPa. The constancy of the Raman mode is taken as a signature of the repulsion produced by H-H contacts in this material under pressure. Lack of any discontinuity in these modes suggests that there is no phase transition in this material in the measured pressure range.

An energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction beamline has been designed, developed and commissioned at BL-11 bending magnet port of the Indian synchrotron source, Indus-2. The performance of this beamline has been benchmarked by measuring diffraction patterns from various elemental metals and standard inorganic powdered samples. A few recent high-pressure investigations are presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the beamline.