Automated high pressure cell for pressure jump x-ray diffraction.
A high pressure cell for small and wide-angle x-ray diffraction measurements of soft condensed matter samples has been developed, incorporating a fully automated pressure generating network. The system allows both static and pressure jump measurements in the range of 0.1-500 MPa. Pressure jumps can be performed as quickly as 5 ms, both with increasing and decreasing pressures. Pressure is generated by a motorized high pressure pump, and the system is controlled remotely via a graphical user interface to allow operation by a broad user base, many of whom may have little previous experience of high pressure technology. Samples are loaded through a dedicated port allowing the x-ray windows to remain in place throughout an experiment; this facilitates accurate subtraction of background scattering. The system has been designed specifically for use at beamline I22 at the Diamond Light Source, United Kingdom, and has been fully integrated with the I22 beamline control systems.
Brooks
Nicholas J
NJ
Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom. nicholas.brooks@imperial.ac.uk
Gauthe
Beatrice L L E
BL
Terrill
Nick J
NJ
Rogers
Sarah E
SE
Templer
Richard H
RH
Ces
Oscar
O
Seddon
John M
JM
D000465:Algorithms; D001331:Automation; D004867:Equipment Design; D011312:Pressure; D012984:Software; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods