Partner User Proposal Abstract

Nuclear Resonant Scattering under High Pressure and High Temperature (PUP-10)

We propose to develop a new experimental capability at sector 3-ID of the Advanced Photon Source. The combination of high-energy-resolution x-ray scattering techniques with the extreme pressure-temperature conditions that can be achieved with diamond anvil cells and laser heating has not been realized so far. In recent years, nuclear resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (NRIXS) and synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy (SMS) has been applied to materials under high pressure. Iron-containing compounds were studied very successfully and with great potential under extreme pressure above 1Mbar. However, some of the crucial issues in geophysics and geology can only be addressed with maximum impact if such experiments can be conducted under high-temperature conditions. To facilitate this worldwide unique capability, a LASER heating system was purchased in FY 2002, assembled, and partially tested. Tasks that will be performed under this proposal are

Full integration of the LASER heating system into the existing station 3-ID-B
Commissioning of the integrated setup.
Development of refined high-pressure equipment and techniques.

The successful completion of the task list, as laid out in this proposal, will provide a worldwide unique capability to the user community of the Advanced Photon Source for studies of vibrational dynamics under both high temperature and pressure. This opportunity is expected to be particularly appealing to researchers working on geophysical problems and problems in earth and planetary sciences. This enhancement of sector 3-ID capabilities presents an ideal synergy with developments at GSECARS and HP-CAT, which focus on diffraction and XAFS-type methods. Existing efforts to implement nuclear resonant scattering techniques at HP-CAT will directly benefit from advanced made in the framework of this proposal.