Incorporation of a new design of backing seat and anvil in a Merrill-Bassett diamond anvil cell

A modification to the Merrill-Bassett diamond anvil cell is presented. This design incorporates tungsten carbide backing disks and Boehler-Almax-cut diamonds which permit the full opening angle, and maximum pressure attainable to remain comparable with the previous backing seat and anvil design, whilst removing troublesome beryllium.