Neutron powder diffraction studies at high pressure using a pulsed neutron source

Abstract

High-pressure neutron-diffraction experiments using the time-of-flight (TOF) method are presented. We first introduce the helium-gas pressure system at Argonne's Intense Pulsed Neutron Source (IPNS) with the Special Environment Powder Diffractometer (SEPD). The results for TIBa₂CuO₆₊₈, and La_2−x, Sr_x, CuO_4–8 are briefly reviewed. We then introduce the present situation in Japan. We have been developing a high-pressure system on high-resolution powder diffractometer (HRP) which was much improved recently and renamed VEGA at KEK. The best resolution of 0.45% was obtained at VEGA. The preliminary results for YBa₂, Cu₄O₈, and HgBa₂, CuO₄₊₈, are presented and compared with the SEPD data.

Key Words:

• Neutron scattering
• high pressure
• TOF
• high-T
• Superconductor