Developments of nano-polycrystalline diamond anvil cells for neutron diffraction experiments

Abstract

A new high pressure cell for neutron diffraction experiments using nano-polycrystalline anvils is presented. The cell design, off-line pressure generation tests and a gas-loading procedure for this cell are described. The performance is illustrated by powder neutron diffraction patterns of ice VII to ∼82 GPa. We also demonstrate the feasibility of single crystal neutron diffraction experiments of Fe3O4 at ambient conditions using this cell and discuss the current limitation and future developments.