Use of an advanced composite material in construction of a high pressure cell for magnetic ac susceptibility measurements

Abstract

The applicability of fibre-reinforced polymers for fabrication of high pressure cells was assessed using finite element analysis and experimental testing. Performance and failure modes for the key components of the cell working in tension and in compression were evaluated and the ways for optimising the designs were established. These models were used in construction of a miniature fully non-metallic diamond anvil cell for magnetic ac susceptibility measurements in a magnetic property measurement system. The cell is approximately 14 mm long, 8.5 mm in diameter and was demonstrated to reach a pressure of 5.6 GPa. AC susceptibility data collected on Dy₂O₃ demonstrate the performance of the cell in magnetic property measurements and confirm that there is no screening of the sample by the environment which typically accompanies the use of conventional metallic high pressure cells in oscillating magnetic fields.

Keywords:

• high pressure
• magnetisation and magnetic susceptibility measurements
• turnbuckle opposed anvil cell
• SQUID magnetometer
• composite polymer
• magnetic property measurement system (MPMS)

Acknowledgements

The work presented here has been funded by a grant from the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council of the United Kingdom (EPSRC). The authors would like to express their appreciation to Mr Robert Louden and Mr Paul Aitken for their technical assistance with this project.

Notes

1. See http://www.qdusa.com/ (Quantum Design).

2. See http://www.cryogenic.co.uk/products/s700x-squid-magnetometer (Cryogenic Ltd).

3. See http://www.ensinger.co.uk/ (Ensinger Group Ltd).

4. See http://www.quadrantplastics.com/eu-en/ (QUADRANT).

5. See http://www.victrex.com/ (Victrex plc.).

6. See http://www.almax-easylab.com/ for Almax·easyLab.