title: A device for the application of uniaxial strain to single crystal samples for use in synchrotron radiation experiments.
abstract: We present the design, construction, and testing of a straining device compatible with many different synchrotron radiation techniques, in a wide range of experimental environments (including low temperature, high field and ultra-high vacuum). The device has been tested by X-ray diffraction on single crystal samples of quasi-one-dimensional Cs2Mo6Se6 and K2Mo6Se6, in which microscopic strains up to a Δc/c = 0.12% ± 0.01% change in the c lattice parameters have been achieved. We have also used the device in an inelastic X-ray scattering experiment, to probe the strain-dependent speed of sound ν along the c axis. A reduction Δν/ν of up to -3.8% was obtained at a strain of Δc/c = 0.25% in K2Mo6Se6.
authors.affiliation: Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford Physics Department, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gannon
authors.affiliation: European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, BP 220, F-38043 Grenoble Cedex, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bosak
authors.affiliation: European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, BP 220, F-38043 Grenoble Cedex, France.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Burkovsky
authors.affiliation: Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 ODE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nisbet
authors.affiliation: DPMC-MaNEP, Université de Genève, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 24, 1211 Genève 4, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Petrović
authors.affiliation: Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot OX11 ODE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hoesch