Complex geophysical investigations under extreme P,T–conditions at zentralinstitut für physik der erde (Zipe) (1970–1990)

The development of the geophysical high pressure research in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) is described here. The GDR was a German state established in 1949 at the territory of the Soviet occupation zone. The different experimental investigations under extreme pressure and temperature conditions and their industrial applications, including the pilot manufacture of synthetic diamonds are explained. A review of the research topics pursued including experiments on lunar material and Earth core/mantle material is described.