Spectroscopy and monitoring of high pressure phenomena

The advantages of the use of optical spectroscopy methods (infrared and Raman spectroscopy, electronic spectroscopy) in the study of high pressure transformation and chemical reactions are illustrated considering several examples. In particular, the efficiency of the spectroscopic methods in the analysis of phase transitions at high pressure, of pressure induced changes of the electronic structure and of the elucidation of the reaction mechanisms at very high pressures are considered. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.