Pressure-dependent structure of the null-scattering alloy Ti0.676Zr0.324

What is it about?

In a high-pressure diffraction experiment it is necessary to hold the sample in a container so that an applied force can be sustained. Ideally, this container material will be “invisible” to the probe used for the experiment, especially because the container thickness will be large. In the case of neutron diffraction, the Ti0.676 Zr0.324 alloy can employed because it has favourable mechanical properties and a zero coherent scattering length, i.e., the neutrons scattered by the Ti and Zr nuclei have opposite phases such that the diffraction pattern of the alloy should be flat and featureless. But how does the density and compressibility of this alloy change when pressure is applied?

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Why is it important?

In this paper X-ray diffraction is used to measure the pressure-volume equation of state for the Ti0.676 Zr0.324 alloy. This material is often used to make the containers and gaskets used in high-pressure neutron scattering research. The results are important for the correction procedures that are employed when analysing the data obtained from, e.g., in situ high pressure neutron diffraction experiments on amorphous and liquid materials.

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