Echidna-the new high-resolution powder diffractometer being built at OPAL

A new powder diffractometer aiming for high angular, and thus high reciprocal space, resolution is being constructed within the Neutron Beam Instrumentation Project at the upcoming Australian Neutron Source OPAL, near Sydney. The neutron flux at the sample can be expected to be up to 107 n/cm2/s. With an array of 128 position sensitive detectors, each equipped with a 30 cm high Soeller collimator of 5 arc min acceptance this instrument will have one of the highest performances of its kind. In addition to classical applications in powder diffraction, the quasi two-dimensional detector will be used for rapid texture measurements, where high separation of peaks is necessary. Even single crystal reciprocal space mapping is envisaged. The article compiles an overview of the design, status of the project and potential research activities