Piezoelectric-driven uniaxial pressure cell for muon spin relaxation and neutron scattering experiments

TL;DR

This paper introduces a piezoelectric-driven uniaxial pressure cell designed for muon spin relaxation and neutron scattering experiments, capable of applying high forces over a wide temperature range with quick sample exchange.

Contribution

It presents a novel pressure cell optimized for large samples and cryogenic temperatures, with features for high force application, minimal background, and rapid sample handling.

Findings

Achieves uniaxial stress exceeding 1 GPa in a 5 mm3 volume.

Operates effectively over a wide temperature range including cryogenic temperatures.

Enables rapid sample exchange with detachable holders and cartridges.

Abstract

We present a piezoelectric-driven uniaxial pressure cell that is optimized for muon spin relaxation and neutron scattering experiments, and that is operable over a wide temperature range including cryogenic temperatures. To accommodate the large samples required for these measurement techniques, the cell is designed to generate forces up to 1000 N, and to minimize the background signal the space around the sample is kept as open as possible. We demonstrate here that by mounting plate-like samples with epoxy, a uniaxial stress exceeding 1 GPa can be achieved in an active volume of 5 mm3. We show that for practical operation it is important to monitor both the force and displacement applied to the sample. Also, because time is critical during facility experiments, samples are mounted in detachable holders that can be rapidly exchanged. The piezoelectric actuators are likewise contained in an exchangeable cartridge.