High-resolution neutron-diffraction measurements to 8 kbar

ABSTRACT

We describe the capability to measure high-resolution neutron powder diffraction data to a pressure of at least 8 kbar. We have used the HRPD instrument at the ISIS neutron source and a piston-cylinder design of pressure cell machined from a null-scattering titanium zirconium alloy. Data were collected under hydrostatic conditions from an elpasolite perovskite La${}_2$NiMnO${}_6$; by virtue of a thinner cell wall on the incident-beam side of the cell, it was possible to obtain data in the instrument's highest resolution back-scattering detector banks up to a maximum pressure of 8.5 kbar.

KEYWORDS:

• Neutron diffraction
• high pressure
• perovskite
• high resolution

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the ISIS cryogenic section for assistance with the cryostat experiment. The work was further supported through resources made available by the Science and Technology Facilities Council through the ISIS Neutron Facility.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was partly funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council via grant PP/C501992/1, STFC consolidated grant number ST/K000934/1 and NERC grant NE/K002902/1.