Inelastic neutron scattering of deep glassy ice VI

Water displays a highly complex phase diagram that is key to a range of critical processes. Using ISIS facilities, our group has discovered three new phases of ice and most recently, we could show that doping can selectively remove one of the phases from the phase diagram. Regarding the ice XV high-pressure phase of ice, a recent study has suggested that a 2nd state of ice XV exists if the sample is prepared under very high pressures. However, we subsequently argued on the basis of calorimetric and neutron diffraction data that in fact a "deep glassy" state of ice is obtained. Using inelastic neutron diffraction, we now wish to probe the local structure of the deep glassy ice in detail. We are confident that this will reveal structural information not accessible with diffraction. In addition to a high impact on ice research, deep glassy materials are currently of strong general interest.

水拥有极为复杂的相图，其对于一系列关键过程而言至关重要。本研究团队依托ISIS散裂中子源装置，发现了三种新型冰相；近期我们更是证实，掺杂可从相图中选择性移除某一冰相。针对冰XV高压相，近期一项研究提出，若样品在超高压条件下制备，则存在第二种冰XV物相。然而我们随后基于量热法与中子衍射数据论证，实际得到的实为冰的"深玻璃态"。现如今，我们计划借助非弹性中子衍射技术，对深玻璃态冰的局域结构展开详细探究。我们坚信，该研究将揭示此前通过常规衍射手段无法获取的结构信息。除了对冰研究领域产生重大影响之外，深玻璃态材料目前也受到学界的广泛关注。