Science, Vol.279, No.5357, 1698-1700, 1998
The postspinel phase boundary in Mg2SiO4 determined by in situ x-ray diffraction
The phase boundary between spinel (gamma phase) and MgSiO3 perovskite + MgO periclase in Mg2SiO4 was determined by in situ x-ray measurements by a combination of the synchrotron radiation source (SPring-8) and a large multianvil high-pressure apparatus. The boundary was determined at temperatures between 1400 degrees to 1800 degrees C, demonstrating that the postspinel phase boundary has a negative Clapeyron slope as estimated by quench experiments and thermodynamic analyses. The boundary was located at 21.1 (+/-0.2) gigapascals, al 1600 degrees C, which is similar to 2 gigapascals lower than earlier estimates based on other high-pressure studies.
Keywords:SYSTEM MG2SIO4-FE2SIO4;MGSIO3 PEROVSKITE;SPINEL TRANSITIONS;LOWER MANTLE;OLIVINE;DISCONTINUITY;EQUATION;STATE