A New Ultrasonic Transducer Sample Cell for In Situ Scattering Experiments

TL;DR

This paper introduces a versatile ultrasonic transducer sample cell compatible with neutron and X-ray scattering experiments, enabling in situ sonication and real-time structural analysis of samples like SDS micelles.

Contribution

The novel in situ sonication device allows real-time monitoring of structural changes during ultrasound treatment in scattering experiments, enhancing experimental flexibility.

Findings

Significant structural changes observed during sonication.

Relaxation to equilibrium after sonication is measurable.

Device improves signal-to-noise ratio for short relaxation times.

Abstract

Ultrasound irradiation is a commonly used technique for non-destructive diagnostics or targeted destruction. We report on a new versatile sonication device that fits in a variety of standard sample environments for neutron and X-ray scattering instruments. A piezoelectric transducer permits measuring of the time-dependent response of the sample in situ during or after sonication. We use small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to demonstrate the effect of a time-dependent perturbation on the structure factor of micelles formed from sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant molecules. We observe a significant change during and after sonication and a time-dependent relaxation to the equilibrium values of the unperturbed system. The strength of the perturbation of the structure factor depends systematically on the duration of sonication. The relaxation behavior can be well reproduced after multiple times of sonication. Accumulation of the recorded intensities of the different sonication cycles improves the signal-to-noise ratio and permits reaching very short relaxation times. Due to the flexibility of our new in situ sonication device, different experiments can be performed, e.g. to explore molecular potentials in more detail by introducing a systematic time-dependent perturbation.