Glitch-free X-ray absorption spectrum under high pressure obtained using nano-polycrystalline diamond anvils

Iterative Bragg peak removal on X-ray absorption spectra with automatic intensity correction

This study introduces a novel iterative Bragg peak removal with automatic intensity correction (IBR-AIC) methodology for X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), specifically addressing the challenge of Bragg peak interference in the analysis of crystalline materials. The approach integrates experimental adjustments and sophisticated post-processing, including an iterative algorithm for robust calculation of the scaling factor of the absorption coefficients and efficient elimination of the Bragg peaks, a common obstacle in accurately interpreting XAS data, particularly in crystalline samples. The method was thoroughly evaluated on dilute catalysts and thin films, with fluorescence mode and large-angle rotation. The results underscore the technique's effectiveness, adaptability and substantial potential in improving the precision of XAS data analysis. While demonstrating significant promise, the method does have limitations related to signal-to-noise ratio sensitivity and the necessity for meticulous angle selection during experimentation. Overall, IBR-AIC represents a significant advancement in XAS, offering a pragmatic solution to Bragg peak contamination challenges, thereby expanding the applications of XAS in understanding complex materials under diverse experimental conditions.

Structural and electronic transformations of GeSe2 glass under high pressures studied by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Pressure-induced transformations in an archetypal chalcogenide glass (GeSe2) have been investigated up to 157 GPa by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Ge and Se K-edge XAS data allowed simultaneous tracking of the correlated local structural and electronic changes at both Ge and Se sites. Thanks to the simultaneous analysis of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) signals of both edges, reliable quantitative information about the evolution of the first neighbor Ge-Se distribution could be obtained. It also allowed to account for contributions of the Ge-Ge and Se-Se bond distributions (chemical disorder). The low-density to high-density amorphous-amorphous transformation was found to occur within 10 to 30 GPa pressure range, but the conversion from tetrahedral to octahedral coordination of the Ge sites is completed above [Formula: see text] 80 GPa. No convincing evidence of another high-density amorphous state with coordination number larger than six was found within the investigated pressure range. The number of short Ge-Ge and Se-Se "wrong" bonds was found to increase upon pressurization. Experimental XAS results are confirmed by MD simulations, indicating the increase of chemical disorder under high pressure.

EXAFS investigations on the pressure induced local structural changes of GeSe2glass under different hydrostatic conditions

Pressure-induced transformations in glassy GeSe₂have been studied using the x-ray absorption spectroscopy. Experiments have been carried out at the scanning-energy beamline BM23 (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility) providing a micrometric x-ray focal spot up to pressures of about 45 GPa in a diamond anvil cell. Both Se and Ge K-edge experiments were performed under different hydrostatic conditions identifying the metallization onsets by accurate determinations of the edge shifts. The semiconductor-metal transition was observed to be completed around 20 GPa when neon was used as a pressure transmitting medium (PTM), while this transition was slightly shifted to lower pressures when no PTM was used. Accurate double-edge extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) refinements were carried out using advanced data-analysis methods. EXAFS data-analysis confirmed the trend shown by the edge shifts for this disordered material, showing that the transition from tetrahedral to octahedral coordination for Ge sites is not fully achieved at 45 GPa. Results of present high pressure EXAFS experiments have shown the absence of significant neon incorporation into the glass within the pressure range up to 45 GPa.

Local structural investigation of non-crystalline materials at high pressure: the case of GeO2glass

Local structures play a crucial role in the structural polyamorphism and novel electronic properties of amorphous materials, but their accurate measurement at high pressure remains a formidable challenge. In this article, we use the local structure of network-forming GeO₂glass as an example, to present our recent approaches and advances in high-energy x-ray diffraction, high-pressure x-ray absorption fine structure, andab initiofirst-principles density functional theory calculations and simulations. Although GeO₂glass is one of the best studied materials in the field of high pressure research due to its importance in glass theory and geophysical significance, there are still some long-standing puzzles, such as the existence of appreciable distinct fivefold^[5]Ge coordination at low pressure and the sixfold-plus^[6+]Ge coordination at ultrahigh pressure. Our work sheds light on the origin of pressure-induced polyamorphism of GeO₂glass, and the^[5]Ge polyhedral units may be the dominant species in the densification mechanism of network-forming glasses from tetrahedral to octahedral amorphous structures.

New frontiers in extreme conditions science at synchrotrons and free electron lasers

Synchrotrons and free electron lasers are unique facilities to probe the atomic structure and electronic properties of matter at extreme thermodynamical conditions. In this context, 'matter at extreme pressures and temperatures' was one of the science drivers for the construction of low emittance 4th generation synchrotron sources such as the Extremely Brilliant Source of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility and hard x-ray free electron lasers, such as the European x-ray free electron laser. These new user facilities combine static high pressure and dynamic shock compression experiments to outstanding high brilliance and submicron beams. This combination not only increases the data-quality but also enlarges tremendously the accessible pressure, temperature and density space. At the same time, the large spectrum of available complementary x-ray diagnostics for static and shock compression studies opens unprecedented insights into the state of matter at extremes. The article aims at highlighting a new horizon of scientific opportunities based on the synergy between extremely brilliant synchrotrons and hard x-ray free electron lasers.

Revealing the Complex Nature of Bonding in the Binary High-Pressure Compound FeO_{2}

Extreme pressures and temperatures are known to drastically affect the chemistry of iron oxides, resulting in numerous compounds forming homologous series nFeOmFe_{2}O_{3} and the appearance of FeO_{2}. Here, based on the results of in situ single-crystal x-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, and density-functional theory+dynamical mean-field theory calculations, we demonstrate that iron in high-pressure cubic FeO_{2} and isostructural FeO_{2}H_{0.5} is ferric (Fe^{3+}), and oxygen has a formal valence less than 2. Reduction of oxygen valence from 2, common for oxides, down to 1.5 can be explained by a formation of a localized hole at oxygen sites.

Melting properties by X-ray absorption spectroscopy: common signatures in binary Fe-C, Fe-O, Fe-S and Fe-Si systems

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is a widely used technique to probe the local environment around specific atomic species. Applied to samples under extreme pressure and temperature conditions, XAS is sensitive to phase transitions, including melting, and allows gathering insights on compositional variations and electronic changes occurring during such transitions. These characteristics can be exploited for studies of prime interest in geophysics and fundamental high-pressure physics. Here, we investigated the melting curve and the eutectic composition of four geophysically relevant iron binary systems: Fe-C, Fe-O, Fe-S and Fe-Si. Our results show that all these systems present the same spectroscopic signatures upon melting, common to those observed for other pure late 3d transition metals. The presented melting criterion seems to be general for late 3d metals bearing systems. Additionally, we demonstrate the suitability of XAS to extract melt compositional information in situ, such as the evolution of the concentration of light elements with increasing temperature. Diagnostics presented in this work can be applied to studies over an even larger pressure range exploiting the upgraded synchrotron machines, and directly transferred to time-resolved extreme condition studies using dynamic compression (ns) or fast laser heating (ms).

First high-pressure XAFS results at the bending-magnet-based energy-dispersive XAFS beamline BL-8 at the Indus-2 synchrotron facility

The static focusing optics of the existing energy-dispersive XAFS beamline BL-8 have been advantageously exploited to initiate diamond anvil cell based high-pressure XANES experiments at the Indus-2 synchrotron facility, India. In the framework of the limited photon statistics with the 2.5 GeV bending-magnet source, limited focusing optics and 4 mm-thick diamond windows of the sample cell, a (non-trivial) beamline alignment method for maximizing photon statistics at the sample position has been designed. Key strategies include the selection of a high X-ray energy edge, the truncation of the smallest achievable focal spot size to target size with a slit and optimization of the horizontal slit position for transmission of the desired energy band. A motor-scanning program for precise sample centering has been developed. These details are presented with rationalization for every step. With these strategies, Nb K-edge XANES spectra for Nb₂O₅ under high pressure (0-16.9 GPa) have been generated, reproducing the reported spectra for Nb₂O₅ under ambient conditions and high pressure. These first HPXANES results are reported in this paper. The scope of extending good data quality to the EXAFS range in the future is addressed. This work should inspire and guide future high-pressure XAFS experiments with comparable infrastructure.

A Practical Review of the Laser-Heated Diamond Anvil Cell for University Laboratories and Synchrotron Applications

In the past couple of decades, the laser-heated diamond anvil cell (combined with in situ techniques) has become an extensively used tool for studying pressure-temperature-induced evolution of various physical (and chemical) properties of materials. In this review, the general challenges associated with the use of the laser-heated diamond anvil cells are discussed together with the recent progress in the use of this tool combined with synchrotron X-ray diffraction and absorption spectroscopy.

Probing disorder in high-pressure cubic tin (IV) oxide: a combined X-ray diffraction and absorption study

The transparent conducting oxide, SnO₂, is a promising optoelectronic material with predicted tailorable properties via pressure-mediated band gap opening. While such electronic properties are typically modeled assuming perfect crystallinity, disordering of the O sublattice under pressure is qualitatively known. Here a quantitative approach is thus employed, combining extended X-ray absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy with X-ray diffraction, to probe the extent of Sn-O bond anharmonicities in the high-pressure cubic (Pa\bar{3}) SnO₂ - formed as a single phase and annealed by CO₂ laser heating to 2648 ± 41 K at 44.5 GPa. This combinational study reveals and quantifies a large degree of disordering in the O sublattice, while the Sn lattice remains ordered. Moreover, this study describes implementation of direct laser heating of non-metallic samples by CO₂ laser alongside EXAFS, and the high quality of data which may be achieved at high pressures in a diamond anvil cell when appropriate thermal annealing is applied.

Improving the quality of XAFS data

Following the Q2XAFS Workshop and Satellite to IUCr Congress 2017 on `Data Acquisition, Treatment, Storage - quality assurance in XAFS spectroscopy', a summary is given of the discussion on different aspects of a XAFS experiment that affect data quality. Some pertinent problems ranging from sources and minimization of noise to harmonic contamination and uncompensated monochromator glitches were addressed. Also, an overview is given of the major limitations and pitfalls of a selection of related methods, such as photon-out spectroscopies and energy-dispersive XAFS, and of increasingly common applications, namely studies at high pressure, and time-resolved investigations of catalysts in operando. Advice on how to avoid or deal with these problems and a few good practice recommendations are reported, including how to correctly report results.

Bond compressibility and bond Grüneisen parameters of CdTe

Extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) at the Cd K edge and diffraction patterns have been measured on CdTe as a function of pressure from 100 kPa (1 bar) to 5 GPa using a cell with nano-polycrystalline diamond anvils and an x-ray focussing scanning spectrometer. Three phases-zincblende (ZB), mixed cinnabar-ZB and rocksalt (RS)-are well distinguished in different pressure intervals. The bond compressibility measured by EXAFS in the ZB phase is slightly smaller than the one measured by diffraction and decreases significantly faster when the pressure increases; the difference is attributed to the effect of relative vibrations perpendicular to the Cd-Te bond. The parallel mean square relative displacement (MSRD) decreases, the perpendicular MSRD increases when the pressure increases, leading to an increasing anisotropy of relative atomic vibrations. A constant-temperature bond Grüneisen parameter (GP) has been evaluated for the ZB phase and compared with the constant-pressure bond GP measured in a previous experiment; an attempt is made to connect the bond GPs measured by EXAFS and the more familiar thermodynamic GP and mode GPs; the comparisons suggest the inadequacy of the quasi-harmonic approximation to deal with the local vibrational properties sampled by EXAFS.

Emergence of a new valence-ordered structure and collapse of the magnetic order under high pressure in EuPtP

The layered hexagonal EuPtP is a rare substance that exhibits two successive valence transitions occurring simultaneously with valence ordering transitions and an antiferromagnetic order. Anticipating that the application of pressure to this sample would induce a new valence-ordered structure and/or a new phenomenon associated with valence fluctuation, we examined the electrical resistivity ρ, the Eu L₃-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy, and the powder x-ray diffraction under high pressure. We found a new valence transition at around P  =  2.5 GPa. After the transition, a new valence-ordered structure is realized at the lowest temperature. The valence-ordered structure is inferred to be stacking of [Formula: see text] (2+: Eu²⁺ layer, 3+: Eu³⁺ layer) along the c-axis. Upon further increases in pressure, the valence-ordered structure is suppressed and another valance-ordered phase is realized up to P  =  6 GPa. The antiferromagnetic order collapses in the pressure range between 6 GPa and 8 GPa.

Revisiting local structural changes in GeO2 glass at high pressure

Despite the great importance in fundamental and industrial fields, understanding structural changes for pressure-induced polyamorphism in network-forming glasses remains a formidable challenge. Here, we revisited the local structural transformations in GeO₂ glass up to 54 GPa using x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy via a combination diamond anvil cell and polycapillary half-lens. Three polyamorphic transitions can be clearly identified by XAFS structure refinement. First, a progressive increase of the nearest Ge-O distance and bond disorder to a maximum at ~5-16 GPa, in the same pressure region of previously observed tetrahedral-octahedral transformation. Second, a marked decrease of the nearest Ge-O distance at ~16-22.6 GPa but a slight increase at ~22.6-32.7 GPa, with a concomitant decrease of bond disorder. This stage can be related to a second-order-like transition from less dense to dense octahedral glass. Third, another decrease in the nearest Ge-O distance at ~32.7-41.4 GPa but a slight increase up to 54 GPa, synchronized with a gradual increase of bond disorder. This stage provides strong evidence for ultrahigh-pressure polyamorphism with coordination number  >6. Furthermore, cooperative modification is observed in more distant shells. Those results provide a unified local structural picture for elucidating the polyamorphic transitions and densification process in GeO₂ glass.

High-pressure studies with x-rays using diamond anvil cells

Pressure profoundly alters all states of matter. The symbiotic development of ultrahigh-pressure diamond anvil cells, to compress samples to sustainable multi-megabar pressures; and synchrotron x-ray techniques, to probe materials' properties in situ, has enabled the exploration of rich high-pressure (HP) science. In this article, we first introduce the essential concept of diamond anvil cell technology, together with recent developments and its integration with other extreme environments. We then provide an overview of the latest developments in HP synchrotron techniques, their applications, and current problems, followed by a discussion of HP scientific studies using x-rays in the key multidisciplinary fields. These HP studies include: HP x-ray emission spectroscopy, which provides information on the filled electronic states of HP samples; HP x-ray Raman spectroscopy, which probes the HP chemical bonding changes of light elements; HP electronic inelastic x-ray scattering spectroscopy, which accesses high energy electronic phenomena, including electronic band structure, Fermi surface, excitons, plasmons, and their dispersions; HP resonant inelastic x-ray scattering spectroscopy, which probes shallow core excitations, multiplet structures, and spin-resolved electronic structure; HP nuclear resonant x-ray spectroscopy, which provides phonon densities of state and time-resolved Mössbauer information; HP x-ray imaging, which provides information on hierarchical structures, dynamic processes, and internal strains; HP x-ray diffraction, which determines the fundamental structures and densities of single-crystal, polycrystalline, nanocrystalline, and non-crystalline materials; and HP radial x-ray diffraction, which yields deviatoric, elastic and rheological information. Integrating these tools with hydrostatic or uniaxial pressure media, laser and resistive heating, and cryogenic cooling, has enabled investigations of the structural, vibrational, electronic, and magnetic properties of materials over a wide range of pressure-temperature conditions.

New developments in micro-X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy for high-pressure research at 16-BM-D at the Advanced Photon Source

The monochromator and focusing mirrors of the 16-BM-D beamline, which is dedicated to high-pressure research with micro-X-ray diffraction (micro-XRD) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) (6-45 keV) spectroscopy, have been recently upgraded. Monochromatic X-rays are selected by a Si (111) double-crystal monochromator operated in an artificial channel-cut mode and focused to 5 μm × 5 μm (FWHM) by table-top Kirkpatrick-Baez type mirrors located near the sample stage. The typical X-ray flux is ∼5 × 10(8) photons/s at 30 keV. The instrumental resolution, Δq/qmax, reaches to 2 × 10(-3) and is tunable through adjustments of the detector distance and X-ray energy. The setup is stable and reproducible, which allows versatile application to various types of experiments including resistive heating and cryogenic cooling as well as ambient temperature compression. Transmission XANES is readily combined with micro-XRD utilizing the fixed-exit feature of the monochromator, which allows combined XRD-XANES measurements at a given sample condition.

Pressure-induced valence crossover and novel metamagnetic behavior near the antiferromagnetic quantum phase transition of YbNi_{3}Ga_{9}

We report electrical resistivity, ac magnetic susceptibility, and x-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements of intermediate valence YbNi_{3}Ga_{9} under pressure and magnetic field. We have revealed a characteristic pressure-induced Yb valence crossover within the temperature-pressure phase diagram, and a first-order metamagnetic transition is found below P_{c}∼9  GPa where the system undergoes a pressure-induced antiferromagnetic transition. As a possible origin of the metamagnetic behavior, a critical valence fluctuation emerging near the critical point of the first-order valence transition is discussed on the basis of the temperature-field-pressure phase diagram.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy of GeO2 glass to 64 GPa

The structural behavior of GeO2 glass has been investigated up to 64 GPa using results from x-ray absorption spectroscopy in a diamond anvil cell combined with previously reported density measurements. The difference between the nearest Ge-O distances of glassy and rutile-type GeO2 disappears at the Ge-O distance maximum at 20 GPa, indicating completion of the tetrahedral-octahedral transition in GeO2 glass. The mean-square displacement σ(2) of the Ge-O distance in the first Ge-O shell increases progressively to a maximum at 10 GPa, followed by a substantial reduction at higher pressures. The octahedral glass is, as expected, less dense and has a higher compressibility than the corresponding crystalline phase, but the differences in Ge-O distance and density between the glass and the crystals are gradually eliminated over the 20-40 GPa pressure range. Above 40 GPa, GeO2 forms a dense octahedral glass with a compressibility similar to that of the corresponding crystalline phase (α-PbO2 type). The EXAFS and XANES spectra show evidence for subtle changes in the dense glass continuing to occur at these high pressures. The Ge-O bond distance shows little change between 45-64 GPa, and this may reflect a balance between bond shortening and a gradual coordination number increase with compression. The density of the glass is similar to that of the α-PbO2-type phase, but the Ge-O distance is longer and is close to that in the higher-coordination pyrite-type phase which is stable above ∼60 GPa. The density data provide evidence for a possible discontinuity and change in compressibility at 40-45 GPa, but there are no major changes in the corresponding EXAFS spectra. A pyrite-type local structural model for the glass can provide a reasonable fitting to the XAFS spectra at 64 GPa.

X-ray reflectivity measurements of liquid/solid interfaces under high hydrostatic pressure conditions

A high-pressure cell for in situ X-ray reflectivity measurements of liquid/solid interfaces at hydrostatic pressures up to 500 MPa (5 kbar), a pressure regime that is particularly important for the study of protein unfolding, is presented. The original set-up of this hydrostatic high-pressure cell is discussed and its unique properties are demonstrated by the investigation of pressure-induced adsorption of the protein lysozyme onto hydrophobic silicon wafers. The presented results emphasize the enormous potential of X-ray reflectivity studies under high hydrostatic pressure conditions for the in situ investigation of adsorption phenomena in biological systems.