Online at www.csr.res.in

Focusing crystal based neutron diffractometer with sample environment of very low temperatures and high magnetic fields at Dhruva reactor The high resolution neutron powder diffractometer installed by the UGC-DAE CSR Mumbai Centre has been in operation at the Dhruva reactor, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai. The design of this diffractometer is in tune with the standards available at other major neutron scattering facilities in the world. In order to make the best use of the available neutron flux, some novel design concepts like the use of doubly focusing, asymmetrically cut perfect crystal monochromator and open beam geometry have been incorporated which enable the use of smaller samples. This instrument offers a unique sample environment of very low temperatures and high magnetic fields using a 7 Tesla cryogen-free superconducting magnet with a VTI having a range of 1.5 K – 320 K in temperature. In this article, we give a brief description of the design and construction of the powder diffractometer and some recent results that were obtained using this unique facility in the country. Design and construction A neutron powder diffractometer is usually designed based on the scientific requirement, constraints imposed by the available neutron flux on the resolution and intensity, space and hardware considerations. Several users from universities voiced a demand for a neutron diffraction beamline with high resolution and special sampl