Manipulation of Samples at Extreme Temperatures for Fast in-situ Synchrotron Measurements

Extreme temperatures and non-equilibrium materials are both central to DOEs mission of addressing grand challenges in emerging energy and advanced materials technologies. Processing and solidifying liquids and molten materials is a critical value adding step in manufacturing semiconductors, glasses, optical materials, metals and in the operation of many energy conversion and medical devices. Accessing extreme temperatures and non- equilibrium states is technically challenging in large part due to reactions with containers. Containerless techniques, also called levitation, are emerging as an effective solution to the container problem in beamline research. This project will lead to development of a novel sample manipulation techniques that will enable studies of materials under extreme conditions that relate to production of semiconductors, optical glasses, medical device and energy conversion materials. Research will be performed jointly by the small business and the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. The proposed solution is to integrate a novel containerless sample manipulator, laser beam heating, and an advanced data acquisition and management system with a high flux, high energy x-ray beamline. The R & amp;D will: (i) evaluate instrument requirements, (ii) design and construct a test instrument that integrates an advanced containerless sample environment with a beamline, (iii) implement test experiments including in-situ measurements, and (iv) analyze results and prepare a plan for development of the instrument to be constructed, tested, and delivered in Phase II and offered for sale as a commercial research product. Commercial Applications/Benefits: The product of this R & amp;D will be a beamline facility instrument that will be marketed by direct interaction with beamline customers. The proposed system has immediate applications in x-ray facilities such as APS, NSLS-II, Diamond, Spring-8 and ESRF. The proposed solution is also suitable for marketing to laboratories where there are additional markets for instruments used in advanced materials research. Prior sales of extreme environment instruments is several M$.