Low-temperature neutron single-crystal diffraction studies of samples grown at high pressure

Abstract

We describe techniques for the growth of single crystals in situ at high pressure from the melt, suitable for high-resolution neutron diffraction experiments, and we present results from a low-temperature test study of ice VI. We also outline the developments we are making to increase the pressure at which we can grow samples of this kind and to improve further the quality of the data collected.

Keywords:

• neutron diffraction
• large volume press
• single crystals
• ice VI

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the scientific and technical advice of Stefan Klotz, the technical assistance of Duncan Francis and the work of Ian Bailey, Rob Done, Mike Dudman and Richard Down in the design and operation of the CCR assembly. The technical advice of Oleg Kirichek was invaluable in making data collection at very low temperatures. This work was funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and supported through resources made available by the Science and Technology Facilities Council and by the ISIS Facility.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

M. Guthrie

Present address: Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, South Cass Ave, Argonne, IL, USA.