Compressibilities of Some Solidified Gases at Low Temperature

Abstract

The compressibilities of several solidified gases have been measured by applying a one-sided compression directly to a cylindrical sample, and observing the resulting volume change. Pressure was conveyed to the samples at low temperature by means of long stainless steel compression and tension members. Preliminary extrusion experiments with these solidified gases assured that the pressure applied to the samples was always at least approximately hydrostatic. Compressibility data have been obtained at pressures up to 10 000 kg/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ for solid hydrogen and deuterium at 4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, and to 4000 kg/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ for solid neon at 4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, solid argon at 65\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 77\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, and solid krypton at 77\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. A single less accurate determination has also been made for solid nitrogen up to 3000 kg/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$.