Europlanet Distributed Research and Technology Infrastructure (RTI) Facility – ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Crystallography
Facility for determination of the long-range (and local) structure of crystalline materials.
Average Transnational Access (TA) visit: 1-7 days
Preferred timeframe for TA visits: Cycle is on roughly every other month for a month
Neutron scattering is used to obtain a direct and detailed insight into the structure of condensed matter – matching dimensions in space from single atoms to macromolecules or mesopores – all dependent on the instrument used. Compared to other scattering probes (e.g. x-rays), neutrons are non-interacting and scatter off the nucleus, allowing for much deeper penetration and therefore the use of complex sample environments (e.g. thick metal pressure cells). This unique mechanism also gives it the ability to ‘see’ hydrogen with high sensitivity, which is present in most molecules relevant to planetary and interstellar environments, and allows it to differentiate between isotopes.
The Crystallography group at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source offers six neutron scattering beamlines (GEM, HRPD, PEARL, POLARIS, SXD and WISH) to the Europlanet community. We specialise in the determination of the long-range (and local) structure of crystalline materials. Each of the instruments is a specialist in different crystallographic techniques or Q-ranges (length scales). Each instrument can provide a unique insight into planetary/interstellar studies and are highlighted below.
Examples of planetary relevant studies include:
- The study of the crystallographic behaviour of simple alcohol–ammonia co-crystals which may be found within cometary ices was performed on the high-resolution powder diffractometer HRPD.
- The PEARL instrument is dedicated to performing neutron diffraction experiments at extreme conditions and using the Paris-Edinburgh press has been used to study a range of planetary relevant materials including doped ice phases and the behaviour of ammonia:water mixtures as a function of pressure and temperatures relevant to planetary materials.
- The structure of ammonium carbonate monohydrate has been studied using the Laue single-crystal diffraction method on the SXD instrument providing a fundamental understanding of the structure, hydrogen bonding and thermal expansion of the potential material found in planetary bodies.
- On the POLARIS instrument the total scattering technique was used to understand the nature of the stacking disorder found in ice.
We offer a wide variety of sample environments. With temperatures ranging from 1.5 mK to 1400 K at ambient pressure. Pressures from ambient to 28 GPa. Ability to perform simultaneous extreme conditions (the exact P&T combination is dependent on the extremes required). We are open to collaborative developments of new sample environments where there is an unmet scientific need.
All aspects pre, during and post-beam time will be supported by both the Europlanet Facility Contact and the relevant Instrument Scientist.
Pre-Requirements for Application
Users that do not already have approved beam time can still contact us to either arrange it through our rapid access scheme (mainly for simple proof-of-concept testing) and/or prepare for the next round.
Contact
You must get in touch with the host facility to discuss the technical feasibility of your proposal before submitting an application. If you do not contact the host, your proposal will not be approved.
Dr Dominic Fortes, ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Oxford, Didcot OX11 0QX.
Images
Publications
- Salzmann, C.G., Loveday, J.S., Rosu-Finsen, A., and Bull, C.L. (2021) ‘Structure and nature of ice XIX’ Nat Commun 12, pp. 3162. Doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23399-z
- Fortes, D.A. (2020) ‘Co-crystals, Salts, and Ionic Co-crystals of Ethanol and Ammonia’ ACS Earth and Space Chemistry 4 (9), pp. 1612-1625. Doi: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.0c00155
- Playford, H. Y., Whale, T. F., Murray, B. J., Tucker, M. G. & Salzmann, C. G. (2018) ‘Analysis of stacking disorder in ice I using pair distribution functions’ J. Appl. Cryst. 51, pp. 1211-1220. Doi: 10.1107/S1600576718009056
- Fortes, A.D. Wood, I.G., Alfè, D., Hernández, E.R., Gutmann, M.J., and Sparkes, H.A. (2014) ‘Structure, hydrogen bonding and thermal expansion of ammonium carbonate monohydrate’ Acta Cryst. B70, pp. 948-962. Doi: 10.1107/S205252061402126X
- Wilson, C.W., Bull, C.L., Stinton, G., and Loveday, J.S. (2012) ‘Pressure-induced dehydration and the structure of ammonia hemihydrate-II’ J. Chem. Phys. 136, pp. 094506. Doi: 10.1063/1.3686870
