2004 High Pressure, Research at Gordon Conference

Gordon Research Conferences, East Greenwich RI

Investigators

Abstract

The High Pressure Gordon Conference has been held biannually for 49 years: it continues to be vital to new science developments in fields as diverse as physics, chemistry, earth/planetary science, materials and biology. It is one of the few that crosscuts a broad spectrum of topics with a unifying theme of condensing matter with pressure. Spectacular advances are now being made in high-pressure methods for creating new materials, and for studying physical, chemical and biological processes under high-pressure conditions: recent breakthroughs include diffraction of light elements using neutron scattering at extreme conditions, direct measurement of thermal conductivity, acoustic velocities, and even the full density of states at extreme conditions, polymerisation of molecules into new solids, creation of super-hard materials, increasing superconducting Tc to record values, formation of unexpected incommensurate structures in metals; and advances in fundamental theoretical descriptions of simple molecular systems. Emerging areas include high-pressure crystallography of hydrogen containing materials, new techniques for synchrotron/neutron studies and ongoing development of inelastic x-ray scattering on small volumes, and understanding mineral physics of outer planets and stars. The 2004 GRC will feature invited talks in exciting new areas at the forefront of science, including shock wave techniques of double shock, laser shock, and shock-spectroscopy experiments; high pressure melting and liquid structure;, super high pressure acoustic velocity measurement on metals and minerals; sampling the deep Earth with single crystal x-ray studies at record pressures; new synchrotron and neutron experiments; high-pressure superconductivity, and new metallic behaviour at high pressure. For a vibrant and successful conference, it is essential to represent all sectors of the field, including graduate students, post-docs and junior faculty, as well as newcomers to the high-pressure field. Diversity is also stressed, including representatives from many countries as well as more female scientists than in past conferences. Financing participation in such a conference is an impediment to attendance by many attendees, that can not be covered by the existing GRC fund. Here we request supplementary funds to subsidize travel and conference fees, to enable participation by students and junior scientists, as well as "newcomers" to the high-pressure field, with great benefits for US and international science. Funds are being requested from two different NSF programs in approximately equal amounts since these two areas are heavily represented in the program. Broader Impacts: This conference has traditionally had few women and minorities, often less than 3%. This conference there are 3 women speakers, greater than 10% as well as a woman discussion leader and woman chair (this conference's first). There are two Hispanic speakers, but not American Hispanic. It is expected that this conference will have a larger than average number of women scientists, a very underrepresented group in physics, and physical sciences. Traditionally Gordon Conferences are platforms where one may bring in speculative ideas to generate discussion, hence no photographs or publishable results. However, it is here where inspiration to new directions and collaborations lead to new publications. The Gordon Conference on Research at High Pressure is only one of two conferences where these scientists meet, the other being the biannual AIRAPT, held only in odd numbered years. This conference is extremely important for students and postdocs to attend (6 of the speakers are students or postdoctoral scholars, an even larger number are invited posters) as it is an integral part of their education to meet the key people in the field of high pressure, discuss their work and putting their own ideas under the scrutiny of experts, and to be inspired in new directions. This is what will help generate effective new scientists.