Synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction facilities at Daresbury Laboratory

There are three experimental stations dedicated to powder diffraction on the UK Synchrotron Radiation Source at the SERC Daresbury Laboratory. Station 2.3 houses a two-circle angle-dispersive (monochromatic) powder diffractometer, based on the Hart-Parrish design, and is sited on a 1.2 T dipole bending magnet source. This diffractometer can be used to collect data on specimens in the temperature range 10-300 K. Station 9.1, which also houses a two-circle angle-dispersive powder diffractometer, is sited on a 5 T wiggler magnet source and can be used in high and low resolution modes. This diffractometer can be used to collect data on specimens in the temperature range 15-1200 K and at high pressures. It is also possible to collect data for in situ chemical reaction studies. Station 9.7 houses an energy-dispersive (white beam) diffractometer, and is also sited on a 5 T wiggler magnet source. The very high synchrotron radiation flux from the white beam means that it is possible to carry out diffraction experiments on very small samples (e.g. samples under pressure in diamond anvil cells), or to collect time-resolved powder diffraction data (e.g. kinetic studies). Two new stations are currently under construction and will be commissioned during 1994.