Pressure is generated by using a hydraulic ram to force a piston
into a cylinder that consists of concentric layers of hardened-stee1
around a tungsten-carbide core. Pressure is determined from the
product of hydraulic oil pressure that is necessary to drive the
main ram and the 100:1 area ratio between the ram and the piston.
Temperature is generated by passing a low-voltage, high current
signal through a graphite furnace inside the cylinder core. Temperature
is measured with a thermocouple in contact with the sample capsule,
and controlled with a microprocessor-based system.