Neutron Research in High Magnetic Fields at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin

Abstract

While neutron diffraction and scattering prove to be indispensable techniques in many areas of scientific research, one of their most outstanding usages is the determination of magnetic structures and their related spin dynamics, possibly combined with extreme applied conditions. Due to the necessity of applying magnetic fields and/or pressures along a particular direction with respect to the crystal structure, it can be that sometimes only a very limited set of observables can be determined. Fortunately, neutrons can penetrate various materials enabling the design of complex apparatus that combine several extreme conditions at once. Combination of magnetic fields, low temperatures and high hydrostatic or uniaxial pressures are possible. However, compromises must be made between the angular range, the strength and the direction of the magnetic field, the value and the type of pressure, the lowest temperature and the size of studied samples. These combine to make magnetism under extreme conditions a challenging, but scientifically rewarding field of research. In this contribution we review a few of the experiments which combine neutron techniques with magnetic fields at low temperatures performed at HZB and the future outlook.