Development of X-ray Atlas, a high-brilliance high-sensitivity high-load-capacity X-ray diffractometer for mineralogy and mineral physics research at the University of Hawaii

在代表地球深处的极端压力和温度条件下，探测地球形成矿物的结构、行为和性质的实验是了解地球内部运作情况的主要信息来源之一，对于创建可靠的地球物理模型（例如用于预测地震）是必不可少的。基于x射线衍射的实验在矿物物理学中起着特殊的作用，是关于晶体结构变化和在深处发生的键合的唯一可靠的信息来源。在这个项目中，我们将开发x射线地图集，这是一种新一代的仪器，用于在极端压力和温度下对微小矿物碎片样品进行创新的实验室衍射实验。x射线地图集还将为夏威夷大学矿物物理实验室提供急需的、目前尚不存在的实验能力，并将成为校园内大量专注于地质学的教职员工和学生的宝贵资源。x射线阿特拉斯将能够探测与地球上地幔、过渡带和部分下地幔相关的压力和温度条件（高达50 GPa和1000℃，对应深度大于1000 km）。新仪器将包括商用x射线衍射仪，Bruker D8 Venture作为基础平台。在计划修改后，Venture衍射仪将保留其原有的全部功能，但通过集成并联六足机器人设备，作为高压金刚石砧细胞和薄片的替代样品安装平台，将增加一系列新的独特功能。除了六足架外，我们还将在Venture衍射仪的样品观察系统中加入光纤传输，当样品安装在衍射仪上时，该系统将使用现有的独立普林斯顿仪器光谱系统收集红宝石荧光和拉曼信号。通过x射线阿尔塔的开发，我们将为夏威夷大学的实验室矿物学、岩石学和矿物物理本科和研究生教育创造新的、非常令人兴奋的机会，为矿物物理创建人才培训、新技术和软件原型站点，并提供新颖、独特、强大和定制设计的技术，这些技术将转移到其他大学矿物物理研究实验室。并将由一家商业仪器供应商销售。

Experiments that allow probing the structure, behavior and properties of Earth forming minerals at extreme pressure and temperature conditions representative of the Earth deep interior are one of primary sources of information about the inner workings of our planet, indispensable in creating reliable geophysical models used e.g. to predict earthquakes. X-ray diffraction based experiments play a special role in mineral physics, being the only reliable source of information about changes in the crystal structure and bonding that take place at depths. Within this project we will develop X-ray Atlas, a new generation of instrument optimized for innovative, laboratory-based diffraction experiments with tiny mineral fragment samples at extreme pressures and temperatures. X-ray Atlas will also provide the much needed and currently non-existent experimental capabilities for the mineral physics lab at the University of Hawaii, and will be a valuable resource to a large number of geology-focused faculty and students on campus. X-ray Atlas will be capable of exploring pressure and temperature conditions relevant for the Earth upper mantle, transition zone and some of the lower mantle (up to 50 GPa and 1000o C, corresponding to depths greater than 1000 km). The new instrument will consist of commercial X-ray diffractometer, Bruker D8 Venture as a base platform. The Venture diffractometer will retain its original full functionality after the planned modification, but a range of new unique capabilities will be added by integrating a parallel kinematics hexapod robotic device as an alternative sample mounting platform for high pressure diamond anvil cells and thin sections. In addition to the hexapod, we will incorporate a fiber optics transport to the sample viewing system of the Venture diffractometer, which will enable collection of ruby fluorescence and Raman signal using an existing standalone Princeton Instruments spectroscopy system, while the sample is mounted on the diffractometer. Through development of the X-ray Altas we will create new and very exciting opportunities for lab-based mineralogy, petrology and mineral physics undergraduate and graduate education at the University of Hawaii, create a personnel training and new technology and software prototyping site for mineral physics and deliver novel, unique, robust and custom-designed technology that will be transferred to other university mineral physics research labs, and will be marketed by a commercial instrument vendor.