High-Pressure Crystal Chemistry of Earth Materials

这项正在进行的研究的主要焦点涉及被认为发生在地球上地幔和过渡带的地球物质的结构和晶体化学特征。在高温高压下，利用金刚石顶砧压力电池，将获得地幔硅酸盐中Fe/Mg的排序及其对地幔矿物状态方程的影响，以及对10gpa以上硅酸盐多面体畸变程度的影响。由于地球深层内部的动态历史和现状是由其组成物质的性质决定的，因此这项研究在理解地球过程方面具有应用价值。这项研究将在地球物理实验室（华盛顿卡内基研究所）进行，该实验室支持美国唯一主要从事矿物及其类似物的高压、单晶、x射线衍射研究的设施。晶体学实验室也将继续为美国材料研究界服务。

The principal focus of this ongoing research involves structural and crystal chemical characterization of earth materials believed to occur in the Earth's upper mantle and transition zone. Information on Fe/Mg ordering in mantle silicates and its effect on mantle mineral equations of state and on the extent of polyhedral distortion in silicates above 10 GPa will be obtained at high temperatures and pressures using diamond anvil pressure cells. This research has application in understanding earth processes as the dynamic history and present state of the Earth's deep interior result from properties of its constituent materials. The research will conducted at the Geophysical Laboratory (Carnegie Institute of Washington), which supports the only American facility engaged primarily in high-pressure, single-crystal, x-ray diffraction studies of minerals and their analogues. The crystallographic laboratory will also continue to serve the American materials research community.