where p is the pressure, F the applied force, and A the area. Typical culet sizes for diamond anvils are 100–250 micrometres (μm), such that a very high pressure is achieved by applying a moderate force on a sample with a small area, rather than applying a large force on a large area. Diamond is a very hard and virtually incompressible material, thus minimising the deformation and failure of the anvils that apply the force.