A new type of compact large-capacity press for neutron and x-ray scattering

We present a new type of compact hydraulic press of 200 t capacity and 60 kg mass provided with two large openings of 140° (equatorial) x 60° (azimuthal) around the sample area. This device has been designed and optimized using finite element calculations, and was built and recently successfully tested. A smaller version with 50 tonnes capacity and 8 kg mass is also available. This ‘VX’ type Paris–Edinburgh press is expected to have numerous applications in neutron and X-ray scattering whenever large sample volumes (typically 1–100 mm3) are required, in particular for angle-dispersive powder neutron diffraction on reactor sources, single crystal neutron diffraction, and inelastic neutron and X-ray scattering.