US-France Cooperative Research: Elasticity of Cobalt and Molybdenum and High Pressures Development of Inelastic X-Ray Scattering at High-Pressure

University Of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz CA

Investigators

Abstract

0340846 Farber In this three-year U.S.-France cooperative research award, Daniel Farber of the University of California at Santa Cruz and James Badro and Guillaume Fiquet at the Universite Paris VI will investigate the elasticity and seismic anisotropy of the Earth's inner core. Specifically, they will conduct experiments aimed at documenting the pressure dependence of elastic moduli in cobalt and molybdenum using inelastic x-ray scattering techniques and the x-ray beam at the European Synchrotron Research Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France. The proposed experimental approach will allow the researchers to place quantitative bounds on the nature of the structure of Earth's inner core and to derive an absolute pressure scale. The project will advance understanding of the composition of the Earth's core and seismic properties of the core and mantle. The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) jointly support this project. NSF will cover the costs of visits to France by the U.S. investigator. The CNRS provides funds to French investigators for their visits to the United States. The proposal takes advantage of French expertise in inelastic x-ray scattering and access to the ESRF, a world-class facility in Grenoble, France.