Iron Phase Diagram at Extreme Conditions

Florida International University, Miami FL

Investigators

Abstract

Saxena, Surendra K. EAR-0074054 This project is to study the melting and physical properties of iron in the pressure range of 30 to 300 GPa. The new data will consist of melting of iron to the pressure of Earth's core, pressure-volume-temperature measurements (thermal expansion and compressibility as a function of temperature) and phase transformations of iron. The investigators will use laser-heating (double-sided) and external heating of diamond-anvil cells to achieve the pressure and temperature. The study will provide important experimental data to be used in understanding the thermal and dynamic aspects of Earth's core and assessing the thermodynamic database for modeling the temperature-density profiles in the core and at the core-mantle boundary.