Method for reducing defect concentrations in crystals

A method for removing one or more defects and/or relieving strain in an amorphous material the amorphous material selected from one of glass, plastic, or metal, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) placing the amorphous material in a pressure medium;
• b) disposing the amorphous material and the pressure medium in a high pressure cell;
• c) processing the cell under reaction conditions in a high pressure apparatus at a sufficiently high pressure and high temperature for a sufficient amount of time to remove one or more defects in the amorphous material.

A method for removing one or more defects in a material selected from non-diamond crystals and amorphous materials, the method comprising:

• a) placing the material which contains defects and or strain in a pressure medium having at least a component in the form of a solid or a liquid at −77° C., the pressure medium comprising a liquid or a low shear strength solid under said reaction conditions;
• and
• b) processing the material containing defects and or strain and the pressure medium in a high pressure apparatus at a sufficiently high pressure and high temperature for a sufficient amount of time to remove one or more defects in said material.