Advanced Facility for Parallel Thermo-Mechanical Simulation and Synchrotron X-Ray Diffraction

Abstract

In recent years, the number of studies involving in situ measurements experienced an impressive growth in different areas of science. This follows from important advances in several areas of technology, involving precise and reliable sample conditioning, very efficient and fast detectors, and better probe sources. This tendency has been accompanied by the development of new installations specialized on in situ measurements, some of which allow studies involving severe, well controlled, and reproducible thermo-mechanical conditions. Although most of the pioneering experiments were made possible by the customization of pre-existing instrumentation, recently, several beamlines have been built or adapted to work with in situ experiments in synchrotron sources. In order to explore some new areas in materials science, we have developed a new installation in Brazil, named XTMS, or X-ray Scattering and Thermo-Mechanical Simulation station, capable of performing in situ diffraction measurements on samples subjected to extreme and complex thermal and/or mechanical conditions, with excellent versatility and reproducibility. The experimental station has been developed and commissioned by the Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano) team in collaboration with the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), both located at the Brazilian Center for Energy and Materials Research (CNPEM).