The Unlocking of High-Pressure Science with Broadband Neutron Spectroscopy at the ISIS Pulsed Neutron & Muon Source

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that recent upgrades to the TOSCA neutron spectrometer enable rapid, high-pressure measurements up to 2 GPa within an hour, opening new avenues in high-pressure science and materials research.

Contribution

It introduces the first successful high-pressure measurements at the ISIS TOSCA spectrometer, expanding neutron spectroscopy capabilities into the gigapascal regime.

Findings

High-pressure measurements up to 2 GPa are now feasible within an hour.

A new set of high-pressure vessels has been designed and commissioned.

The upgrades significantly broaden the scientific community's potential applications.

Abstract

Following significant instrument upgrades and parallel methodological developments over the past decade, the TOSCA neutron spectrometer at the ISIS Pulsed Neutron & Muon Source in the United Kingdom has developed a rich and growing scientific community spanning a broad range of non-traditional areas of neutron science, including chemical catalysis, gas adsorption & storage, and new materials for energy and sustainability. High-pressure science, however, has seen little to no representation to date owing to previous limitations in capability. Herein, we explore for the first time the viability of rapid high-pressure measurements in the gigapascal regime, capitalizing from the orders-of-magnitude increase in incident flux afforded by a recent upgrade of the primary-beam path. In particular, we show that spectroscopic measurements up to pressures of 2 GPa over an unprecedented energy-transfer range are now possible within the hour timescale. In addition, we have designed and commissioned a dedicated set of high-pressure vessels, with a view to foster and support the further growth and development of an entirely new user community on TOSCA.