Synchrotron Radiation techniques under extreme conditions

Abstract

The project here described here aims to nucleate a research group in synchrotron experiments at high pressures, temperature and magnetic field, unique in Brazil, which potentially can become an international reference in the study of materials under extreme conditions. This projects fits well in the strategy to develop state-of-the-art experimental stations in the current synchrotron light source and which can be moved, without any modification, to the new synchrotron light source under construction. In particular, the possibility of studying any material (magnetic, superconducting, geological, biological, among others) under extreme pressure, temperature and magnetic field with flexible instrumentations will be crucial for fostering a wide spectrum of research in materials science in the current and future synchrotron light sources at LNLS. Among the main scientific and technical developments here proposed are: the implementation of a X-ray quarter wave plate, unique in the world, for magnetic dichroism experiments to probe electronic and magnetic properties of actinide materials and orbital magnetism; the production and characterization of a nanocrystaline magnetic and semiconducting diamond using techniques of high pressure and temperature in a large sample volume; and the development of synchrotron techniques in extreme conditions using diamond anvil cells. (AU)