Piezoelectric-driven uniaxial pressure cell for muon spin relaxation and neutron scattering experiments
Shreenanda Ghosh, Felix Brückner, Artem Nikitin, Vadim Grinenko, Matthias Elender, Andrew P. Mackenzie, Hubertus Luetkens, Hans-Henning Klauss, Clifford W. Hicks
Abstract
We present a piezoelectric-driven uniaxial pressure cell that is optimized for muon spin relaxation and neutron scattering experiments and that is operable over a wide temperature range including cryogenic temperatures. To accommodate the large samples required for these measurement techniques, the cell is designed to generate forces up to ∼1000 N. To minimize the background signal, the space around the sample is kept as open as possible. We demonstrate here that by mounting plate-like samples with epoxy, a uniaxial stress exceeding 1 GPa can be achieved in an active volume of at least 5 mm3. We show that for practical operation, it is important to monitor both the force and displacement applied to the sample. In addition, because time is critical during facility experiments, samples are mounted in detachable holders that can be rapidly exchanged. The piezoelectric actuators are likewise contained in an exchangeable cartridge.