High pressure neutron and X-ray diffraction at low temperatures

Abstract

This paper presents a review of techniques and considerations in the design and construction of high pressure, low temperature diffraction experiments. Also intended as an introductory text to new high pressure users, the crucial aspects of pressure cell design are covered. The general classification of common designs, and a discussion into the key beam interaction, mechanical, and thermal properties of commonly used materials is given. The advantages of different materials and high pressure cell classifications are discussed, and examples of designs developed for low temperature diffraction studies are presented, and compared.

Single-crystal neutron diffraction in diamond anvil cells with hot neutrons

“…Neutron scattering studies on large single crystals of several cubic millimetres are frequently performed in gas-pressure and clamp cells (Klotz, 2013;Ridley & Kamenev, 2014). There have been relatively few efforts to use other high-pressure devices for single-crystal neutron measurements.…”

High-pressure neutron diffraction study of Pd3Fe

“…This is particularly important as previous reports have suggested that mechanical grinding may also induce disorder in these samples 44 . The larger sample volume used in pressure cells for neutron diffraction studies 45 also allow for a more representative diffraction pattern than can be obtained from a focussed X-ray beam in a diamond anvil cell. Figure 3 shows the patterns from the ordered and disordered boules in a vanadium sample container.…”

A novel diamond anvil cell for x-ray diffraction at cryogenic temperatures manufactured by 3D printing

“…Therefore, an additional advantage of this design is that it allows the pressure to be changed to smaller, more stable and controllable increments than in miniature DACs based on two-threaded connections. 6,7 The optimal type of the thread for axial load engineering applications is a buttress thread. In the absence of any other alignment mechanisms, the buttress thread aids the alignment of the anvils because the flank supporting the load is nearly perpendicular to the axis of the thread.…”

“…Typically, Merrill-Bassett type cells 2 are used for such diffraction measurements, but in recent years other cell designs have become increasingly popular in other areas of high-pressure research, such as the turnbuckle design first developed for use in high-pulsed magnetic fields 3,4 and for magnetic measurements in commercial magnetometers. 5,6 Although some miniature DACs for X-ray work have been constructed for use in cryogenic experiments, 7,8 there is a scope for further miniaturization to enable the use of open-flow cryogenic equipment which is practically extremely convenient and very commonly a) Electronic mail: K.Kamenev@ed.ac.uk available, but which has limited volume or cooling power compared to closed cryostats.…”