Structural Changes in Minerals and their Effect on Intrinsic Properties

我的长期研究计划考察了矿物的行为(物理、机械、热力学、弹性和化学性质)作为压力(P)、温度(T)、成分(X)和时间(T)的函数，即P-T-X-t条件，这是基于晶体中原子的排列。了解矿物的行为对于为地球过程提供现实的模型至关重要，因为矿物的性质受原子排列的支配。我的研究项目试图回答这样的问题：为什么固体材料具有它们所展示的成分、结构和性质？这些特性在不同的P和T条件下是如何变化的？结构中原子的有序如何随着P-T-X-t的响应而改变？有序无序对固有性质或内部性质有什么影响，例如密度？为了回答这些问题，有必要使用多学科方法来确定矿物的原子结构。我们使用各种现场实验技术来研究在环境和非环境(不同的P和T)条件下(包括X和t)控制矿物稳定性和性质的过程，并将结果应用于矿物物理和地球过程。我的研究项目以物理化学和衍射物理为基础，使用实验室的实验技术，此外还在同步加速器和中子设施进行创新研究，我在那里是一名成熟的研究员。我们已经成功地在不同的P-T-X-t条件下表征了几个矿物群，在这里我们考察了石榴石群矿物。

My LONG-TERM RESEARCH PROGRAM examines mineral behaviour (physical, mechanical, thermodynamic, elastic, and chemical properties) as a function of pressure (P), temperature (T), composition (X), and time (t), that is, P-T-X-t conditions, which is based on the arrangement of atoms in the crystal. Understanding mineral behaviour is essential for providing realistic models for Earth processes because mineral properties are governed by the arrangement of atoms. My research program attempts to answer questions such as: why do solid materials have the composition, structure, and the properties that they exhibit? How do these properties change under different P and T conditions? How does the ordering of atoms in a structure change in response to P-T-X-t? What are the effects of order-disorder on intrinsic or internal properties, e.g., density? To answer these questions, it is necessary to determine the atomic structures of minerals using a multi-disciplinary approach. We use various in situ experimental techniques to investigate the processes that govern mineral stabilities and properties under ambient and non-ambient (different P and T) conditions, including X and t, and to apply the results to Mineral Physics and Earth processes. My research program is based on physical chemistry and diffraction physics using experimental techniques in laboratories in addition to performing innovative research at synchrotron and neutron facilities, where I am an established researcher. We have successfully characterized several mineral groups under varying P-T-X-t conditions and here we examine the garnet-group minerals.