A cubic-anvil high-pressure device for pulsed neutron powder diffraction.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Crystallography

Background:

• High-pressure studies are crucial for understanding material properties.
• In situ neutron diffraction provides detailed structural information under extreme conditions.
• Existing high-pressure devices can be limited in their compatibility with neutron scattering.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a compact cubic-anvil device for in situ neutron powder diffraction.
• To demonstrate the device's capability in high-pressure experiments.
• To assess the potential of combining this device with pulsed neutron sources.

Main Methods:

• Development of a compact cubic-anvil apparatus.
• Compression of a cubic pressure medium by six anvils.
• Neutron beam transmission through gaps between anvils.
• In situ neutron powder diffraction measurements at J-PARC.

Main Results:

• Successful development and implementation of the cubic-anvil high-pressure device.
• Clear observation of neutron diffraction patterns of lead (Pb) under high pressure.
• Demonstration of the device's effectiveness for in situ studies.

Conclusions:

• The developed cubic-anvil device is a viable tool for high-pressure neutron diffraction.
• Integration with pulsed neutron sources enhances its utility for materials research.
• This technology opens new avenues for exploring materials under extreme conditions.