A rotator for single-crystal neutron diffraction at high pressure

We present a modified Paris-Edinburgh press which allows rotation of the anvils and the sample under applied load. The device is designed to overcome the problem of having large segments of reciprocal space obscured by the tie rods of the press during single-crystal neutron-scattering experiments. The modified press features custom designed hydraulic bearings and provides controls for precision rotation and positioning. The advantages of using the device for increasing the number of measurable reflections are illustrated with the results of neutron-diffraction experiments on a single crystal of germanium rotated under a load of 70 tonnes.