Deformation of single crystal sample using D-DIA apparatus coupled with synchrotron X-rays: In situ stress and strain measurements at high pressure and temperature

We present a technique for high pressure and high temperature deformation experiment on single crystals, using the Deformation-DIA apparatus at the X17B2 beamline of the NSLS. While deformation experiments on polycrystalline samples using D-DIA in conjunction with synchrotrons have been previously reported, this technical paper focuses on single crystal application of the technique. Our single crystals are specifically oriented such that only [1 0 0] slip or [0 0 1] slip in (0 1 0) plane is allowed. Constant applied stress (sigma <300 MPa) and specimen strain rates were monitored using in situ time-resolved X-ray diffraction and radiography imaging, respectively. Rheological properties of each activated slip system in the crystals can be revealed using this technique. In this paper, we describe the principle of sample preparation (e.g. [1 1 0]_c and [0 1 1]_c orientations) to activate specific slip systems (i.e. [1 0 0](0 1 0) and [0 0 1](0 1 0), respectively), stress measurement and procedures of the deformation experiments.