Properties of Earth Materials at High Pressure and Temperatures

新技术和现有技术的结合将用于我们对地幔和地核材料性质的研究。该研究将包括高压/高温研究的两个一般领域：1)使用金刚石砧细胞和同步辐射测量高压和高温下地幔材料的强度；2)通过激光加热和同步辐射研究MgSiO3、MgO和铁在超高压和高温下的相变和熔化。我们对地幔动力学的理解，特别是对深地震起源的理解，取决于我们对相变机制和动力学的了解，以及在地幔压力/温度条件下不同相的强度。我们对地幔和地核的温度分布和组成的理解取决于我们对重要的地幔和地核物质的熔化温度的了解。

New techniques and combinations of existing techniques will be used in our studies of the properties of mantle and core materials. The research will consist of two general areas of high pressure/temperature research: 1) the measurement of strength of mantle materials at high pressures and temperatures using diamond anvil cells and synchrotron radiation, 2) study of phase transitions and melting in MgSiO3, MgO and iron at very high pressures and temperatures by laser heating and synchrotron radiation. Our understanding of the dynamics of the mantle and especially the origin of deep earthquakes depends on our knowledge of the mechanisms and kinetics of phase transitions and the strength of various phases at the pressure/temperature conditions of the Earth's mantle. Our understanding of the temperature distribution and composition of the mantle and core depends on our knowledge of the melting temperatures of important mantle and core materials.