Extreme Temperature Sample Environment for Materials Research using Neutron Scattering

This project addresses the need to access and control extreme temperature sample environments that are used in many research applications at neutron beamline facilities. Successful Phase I feasibility showed the route to development and integration of controlled and extreme sample environments and new measurement techniques that are an important aspect of beamline operations and user support. In combination with advanced sample environments, high flux neutron sources such as SNS provide an opportunity to revolutionize advanced materials research. Processing and solidifying liquids is a critical value adding step in manufacturing semiconductors, optical materials, metals and in the operation of many energy conversion and medical devices. Research on advanced materials is hampered by difficulty in accessing short-lived metastable states that play a crucial role in determining the material's ultimate structure and properties. This project will lead to development of a novel sample environment and event-based data processing technologies that will enable studies of materials under extreme conditions that relate to production of semiconductors, optical glasses, medical device materials and energy conversion materials. Research will be performed jointly by the small business and the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The proposed solution is to integrate a novel containerless sample environment and an event-based data acquisition system with a high flux neutron beam line. The use of laser beam heating allows rapid heating (100 K/s) and cooling to access metastable states that cannot be obtained using a conventional furnace. The R&D will: (i) optimize design of the instrument, (ii) design and construct a prototype instrument that integrates an advanced “aero-acoustic” containerless sample environment that combines the advantages of both aerodynamic and acoustic techniques to achieve unprecedented control over the sample in a beamline, (iii) implement test experiments including event-based measurements, and (iv) analyze results and prepare a specification for the instrument that will be offered for sale as a commercial research product. Commercial Applications/Benefits: The product of this R&D will be a beamline facility instrument that will be marketed by direct interaction with beamline customers. The proposed system has direct applications in neutron facilities such as SNS, HFIR, ESS, ISIS and other sources. The approach is also suitable for marketing to X-ray facilities where there are additional markets for instruments based on the proposed technology. Prior sales of extreme environment instruments has been several M$.