Clamped piston-cylinder cells
A piston-cylinder clamped cell consisting of a pre-stressed CuBe insert (not visible), an Al sleeve, two Al nuts, several tungsten carbide pistons, and additionally, a steel piston with a diamond window for optical access (center)
A range of piston-cylinder cells for neutron scattering applications are available for use across various SNS and HFIR diffractometers and spectrometers. These cells are typically pressurized offline outside the beamline and pressure is clamped in for measurement. They are compatible with other extreme environments such as (ultra-)low temperature and high magnetic fields in some cases. Various designs and development of cells as well as complimentary tools continues to be in progress.
An example of in-house development is a clamped cell with a optical access through a diamond window that allows for in situ pressure measurement via ruby or strontium borate fluorescence: Podlesnyak et al. HPR 38, 482 (2018).
The specifics of each experiment are typically planned carefully around the sample, its scattering profile, powder vs. single crystal, the required pressure transmitting medium, as well as around the desired beamline and the given science question. Possible cells and sample geometries will thus vary.
For experiments on a specific instrument, please contact the instrument team directly. For general enquiries, further possible experiments, and future opportunities please contact Yan Wu for HFIR and Jamie Molaison for SNS.
Clamped cells
| Cell type | Max load/max nominal pressure* | Sample bore diameter | Max Teflon cup height** | Possible multi-extremes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Uwatoko CuBe cell | 1.8 tons/1.8 GPa | 2.5mm | 8 mm | compatible with ULT and high magnetic field |
| Large bore Uwatoko CuBe cell | 4.23 tons/1.5GPa | 6 mm | 25 mm*** | compatible with ULT and high magnetic field**** |
| Al-sleeved, CuBe insert cell | 4 tons/2.3 GPa | 4.7 mm | 18 mm | compatible with low T to 1.5 K |
| Al-sleeved, CuBe insert cell with diamond window | 4 tons/1.7 GPa | 4.7 mm | 18 mm | compatible with low T to 1.5 K |
| Al-sleeved, NiCrAl insert cell | 3 tons/1.7 GPa | 4.7 mm | 18 mm | compatible with low T to 1.5 K |
| NiCrAl cell | 4 tons/2.3 GPa | 4.7 mm | 10 mm | compatible with ULT and high magnetic field |
| TiZr cell | 2 tons/1.1 GPa | 4.7 mm | 10 mm | compatible with low T to 1.5 K |
*NOTE: Nominal pressure is very rarely achieved and is given here as benchmark value only. Experimental pressures are lower, due to friction (which results in at least 10% pressure loss), due to compressibility of sample and/or pressure medium, due to clamping of the cell and due to sample/Teflon cup loading requirements and the general specifics of the given experiment.
**NOTE: Single crystal samples cannot exceed half the Teflon cup height. Depending on maximum pressure/load desired, this height may even shrink further
***NOTE: the sample height of single crystal samples is limited to 10 mm
****NOTE: pressure drops to 1.3 GPa at He4 temperatures and below
