High-Pressure Crystal Chemistry of Earth Materials

这项正在进行的研究的主要重点涉及据信发生在地球上地幔和过渡带的地球材料的结构和晶体化学特征。利用金刚石压力室，在高温高压条件下，可以获得有关地幔硅酸盐中Fe/Mg有序性及其对地幔矿物状态方程的影响以及硅酸盐中多面体变形程度的信息。这项研究在理解地球过程方面具有应用价值，因为地球深部的动态历史和现状是由其组成物质的性质造成的。这项研究将在地球物理实验室(华盛顿卡内基研究所)进行，该实验室为主要从事矿物及其类似物高压单晶X射线衍射研究的唯一美国设施提供支持。结晶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.