Sample Environments

An Oxford Instruments Cryojet5 capable of cooling and heating capillary samples in the temperature range 85-500 K. The cryojet can be used in conjunction with a 15 position sample changer for spun capillaries. Both the cryojet and hot air blower can be mounted on the beamline at the same time to cover a wide temperature range.

Used to heat capillary samples from room temperature up to 1100 K. Temperatures of up to 1200 K can be reached with smaller samples. The blower can be used in conjunction with a 7 position sample changer for spun capillaries.

An 8-channel Ivium-n-Stat is available for in-situ electrochemical measurements and cycling. This can be used to perform in-situ PDF measurements on up to 8 batteries while they are cycling. Users can either bring their one battery cells or use the radial-geometry cells developed by Diamond staff.

XPDF are commissioning a range of vacuum, static gas and flowing gas cells. If you are interested in learning more about what is possible, please contact xpdf@diamond.ac.uk.

A hydrothermal cell is available which is capable of operating up to 200°C. The cell design is optimised so that the only contribution to the background is that of the fused-quartz capillary holding the sample.

XPDF is also commissioning two new in-situ environments focussed on time-resolved measurements in reacting solutions. Both environments allow for steady state measurements to be taken at time increments after two precursor solutions are passively mixed. The first cell is aimed at longer duration reactions, consisting of eight measurement positions. Here the first measurement is available for reaction times greater than ca. 0.5 seconds. The second cell is targeted at much faster reactions where data can be collected at times greater than ca. 0.05 seconds after mixing. It will be possible to run both cells at elevated temperature, to a maximum of 250°C. If you are interested in using these capabilities please contact xpdf@diamond.ac.uk.