Insitu Strain Measurements

The application of external strain has become a useful method to control the electronic properties of quantum materials, including superconducting [1–3], nematic [4–7] and topological [8] phases. Strain measurements on bulk crystal materials allow precise control of lattice parameters to tune particular properties. By applying strain along particular directions it is possible to artificially break crystalline symmetries and induce emergent states and new phenomena. This is particularly important in the field of frustrated magnetism, where the ability to control the lattice distortion and relieve expected frustration in the magnetic state (often at cryogenic temperatures) is a critical tool in understanding magnetic interactions. The information gained through such measurements uncovers the intricate interplay between strain, quantum effects, and emergent phenomena, ultimately advancing our understanding of condensed matter physics and facilitating the design of advanced materials with tailored properties.

Using a Razorbill CS100 strain cell, we have the ability on I16 to measure x-ray diffraction, including resonant and magnetic scattering, from samples while applying tensile and compressive uniaxial strain, even at cryogenic temperatures. The high angular resolution of I16 provides accurate determination of the strain based on diffraction measurements. In particular it is possible to use reciprocal space mapping to watch the change in Bragg peak shape under strain. A full range of resonant measurements is possible, including polarisation control and analysis, energy scanning and azimuthal scans. Sample are typically mounted in reflection geometry on the strain cell and adhered using Stycast or another hard epoxy resin. A typical example is shown below:

The CS100 strain cell by Razorbill Instruments has proven popular with many condensed matter groups due to its small form factor and compliance with common cryogenic equipment. The cell uses symmetric arrangement of piezoelectric stacks to cancel out thermal expansion, allowing the sample to remain near zero strain across a wide temperature range.  The stacks drive a flexure-constrained mechanism which stops any unwanted shear or pillowing of the piezo from being transmitted to the sample.

The specifications for this device are given in the table below:

On I16, the strain cell is mounted on the ARS cryocooler, providing cooling to <10K. The cold head operates in-vacuum with a Beryllium dome for x-ray transmission in reflection geometry. This geometry provides maximum access for the incident and scattered x-ray beam in a range of scattering geometries. The cell’s power supply and measurement of the cell capacitance (to determine relative displacement) have been implemented into the beamline software allowing full strain/ temperature phase maps to be automated.

1. C. W. Hicks, D. O. Brodsky, E. A. Yelland, A. S. Gibbs, J. A. N. Bruin, M. E. Barber, S. D. Edkins, K. Nishimura, S. Yonezawa, Y. Maeno, and A. P. Mackenzie, Strong increase of Tc of Sr2RuO4 under both tensile and compressive strain, Science 344, 283 (2014).
2. A. Steppke, L. Zhao, M. E. Barber, T. Scaffi di, F. Jerzembeck, H. Rosner, A. S. Gibbs, Y. Maeno, S. H. Simon, A. P. Mackenzie, and C. W. Hicks, Strong peak in TC of Sr2RuO4 under uniaxial pressure, Science 355, eaaf9398 (2017).
3. H.-H. Kim, S. M. Souliou, M. E. Barber, E. Lefran¸cois, M. Minola, M. Tortora, R. Heid, N. Nandi, R. A. Borzi, G. Garbarino, A. Bosak, J. Porras, T. Loew, M. K¨onig, P. J. W. Moll, A. P. Mackenzie, B. Keimer, C. W. Hicks, and M. Le Tacon, Uniaxial pressure control of competing orders in a high-temperature superconductor, Science 362, 1040 (2018).
4. H.-H. Kim, E. Lefran¸cois, K. Kummer, R. Fumagalli, N. B. Brookes, D. Betto, S. Nakata, M. Tortora, J. Porras, T. Loew, M. E. Barber, L. Braicovich, A. P. Mackenzie, C. W. Hicks, B. Keimer, M. Minola, and M. Le Tacon, Charge density waves in YBa2Cu3O6.67 probed by resonant x-ray scattering under uniaxial compression, Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 037002 (2021).
5. P. Malinowski, Q. Jiang, J. J. Sanchez, J. Mutch, Z. Liu, P. Went, J. Liu, P. J. Ryan, J.-W. Kim, and J.-H. Chu, Suppression of superconductivity by anisotropic strain near a nematic quantum critical point, Nat. Phys. 16, 1189 (2020).
6. J. M. Bartlett, A. Steppke, S. Hosoi, H. Noad, J. Park, C. Timm, T. Shibauchi, A. P. Mackenzie, and C. W. Hicks, Relationship between transport anisotropy and nematicity in FeSe, Phys. Rev. X 11, 021038 (2021).
7. T. Worasaran, M. S. Ikeda, J. C. Palmstrom, J. A. W. Straquadine, S. A. Kivelson, and I. R. Fisher, Nematic quantum criticality in an Fe-based superconductor revealed by strain-tuning, Science 372, 973 (2021).
8. J. J. Sanchez, P. Malinowski, J. Mutch, J. Liu, J.W. Kim, P. J. Ryan, and J.-H. Chu, The transport–structural correspondence across the nematic phase transition probed by elasto x-ray diffraction, Nat. Mater. 20, 1519 (2021).

If you have any comments, suggestions or corrections, please contact a member of the beamline staff.