Novel diamond cells for neutron diffraction using multi-carat CVD anvils

Traditionally, neutron diffraction at high pressure has been severely limited in pressure because low neutron flux required large sample volumes and therefore large volume presses. At the high-flux Spallation Neutron Source at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, we have developed new, large-volume diamond anvil cells for neutron diffraction. The main features of these cells are multi-carat, single crystal chemical vapor deposition diamonds, very large diffraction apertures, and gas membranes to accommodate pressure stability, especially upon cooling. A new cell has been tested for diffraction up to 40 GPa with an unprecedented sample volume of ∼0.15 mm³. High quality spectra were obtained in 1 h for crystalline Ni and in ∼8 h for disordered glassy carbon. These new techniques will open the way for routine megabar neutron diffraction experiments.