Welcome to I15

I15 - Extreme Conditions

Beamline I15 is dedicated to X-ray powder diffraction experiments at extreme pressures and temperatures. Research topics include fundamental Physics and Chemistry, Earth and Planetary Science as well as Materials Science and Engineering.

The beamline provides monochromatic high-energy X-rays from 20 to 80 keV. These X-rays focussed and collimated down to ≤20 µm can penetrate into complex sample assemblies permitting detailed mapping of structural order or disorder, chemical fingerprinting or structure determination.

Rapid Access Route - Update 6 April 2024

The Rapid Access Route now is available for

•    data collections on samples that are timely and of high scientific interest.
•    measurements that will be included in a publication as a reply to referees’ comments.
•    a pilot or proof-of-concept study to evaluate feasibility before submitting a future full proposal.

Preliminary Rapid Access days for AP35 (April – Oct 2024)

•    9:00 Mon 15 Jul - 9:00 Tue 16 Jul – standard diffractometer setup 30-40 keV (no longer available)
•    9:00 Sun 21 Jul - 9:00 Mon 22 Jul – standard diffractometer setup 72-76 keV (no longer available)

For more details, please read our guidelines.

All Rapid Access proposals should be submitted through the UAS. Please contact Annette Kleppe before submitting a Rapid Access request.

High-Pressure News Story March 2024

Under Pressure: Exploring Matter at or under Extreme Conditions at Diamond

Change to DAC & Gas Loader Policy - Update 25th May 2023

The provision of I15 diamond-anvil cells (DACs) and/or sample loading for user experiments as a general service that can be requested has ceased.

Users who are interested in using I15's DACs for experiments please contact I15 staff to discuss a collaboration. Please do this well before a proposal submission deadline to ensure staff have time to discuss the proposed collaboration.

Similarly, users who are interested in using I15’s gas loading system for experiments please contact I15 staff.

The equipment is offered on a collaborative basis for academic users; industrial users should contact the Industrial Liaison Office.

I15: Extreme Conditions

Beamline I15 is dedicated to X-ray powder diffraction experiments at extreme pressures and temperatures. Research topics include fundamental Physics and Chemistry, Earth and Planetary Science as well as Materials Science and Engineering.

The beamline provides monochromatic high-energy X-rays from 20 to 80 keV. These X-rays focussed and collimated down to ≤20 µm can penetrate into complex sample assemblies permitting detailed mapping of structural order or disorder, chemical fingerprinting or structure determination.

I15 at a glance

Image I15 at a glance

I15 & I15-1 Team

Image I15 & I15-1 Team

I15 & I15-1 Beamtime Nov-Dec 2019 Cancelled

Following the second compressor failure in August, four new compressors were ordered so that all of them could be replaced, and leave a spare. These arrived in Oct and means that we have effectively completely replaced the He cooling system with new compressors and refurbished coolers on the superconducting magnet. However the company has now told us that one of the refurbished cold heads has failed, and even though we ordered spare parts for these back in August they cannot deliver until late November. We have pursued every option possible at this time, but the company are unable fix it in time for the run starting next week. We are thus having to cancel all beamtime during Nov and Dec. Beamtime scheduled for Jan through March will remain scheduled assuming the latest repairs planned in Dec are completed with no further issues. We are deeply disappointed that these problems have not been resolved despite vigorous and continuous engagement with the company. We are continuing to strive to fix the situation as soon as possible and are reconsidering our long-term options.

NEW policy about the provision of diamond-anvil cells (DACs)

We have changed our DAC policy and split it into DAC loaning only and DAC loaning + sample loading. Please familiarize yourself with the details under the DAC Policy tab here.

High-Pressure Workshop Feb. 2019

High-pressure workshop New Opportunities for High P-T Research at Diamond, 26th - 27th February 2019.

HighPressureWorkshop2019

I15 & I15-1 Proposal Submission Update

We still hope to have the wiggler running by the restart in January, so this is only about the next call for proposals and NOT cancelling any of the experiments currently scheduled for January and February. In the last update regarding new proposals we had suggested we would open the system in December but now wish to wait.

We have decided to hold off the opening of a call for proposals due to the continuing issues of the wiggler repair, it’s move back into the storage ring and the need to reschedule cancelled experiments from AP26 into the AP27 period. With more parts due to arrive in November, and visits scheduled from both the cooling system and wiggler manufacturers before Christmas we remain optimistic that operations will resume in January, but of course cannot yet be certain. Rather than have users submit proposals with this uncertainty we will reassess the situation in late January and decide the best course of action at that time. We will then update the web site and send out an email to all registered users.

We continue to be disappointed with these delays and wish to reassure users that Diamond Staff are doing all that they can to resolve the issue through vigorous and continous engagement with the external suppliers, as well as considering long-term options going forward

Micromanipulator Now Available

I15 has acquired a micromanipulator 'Axis Pro' from MicroSupport Co. It is now available to users. Watch this video from MicroSupport to see the loading of a diamond-anvil cell with the Axis Pro. It is amazing!!

Micromanipulator

Recent Publication

Laser-heating system for high-pressure X-ray diffraction at the Extreme Conditions beamline I15 at DLS. Anzellini et al., J. Synchrotron Rad 25., Nov. 2018. 10.1107/S1600577518013383


 

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Diamond Light Source is the UK's national synchrotron science facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.

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