Development of a High Pressure Mineral Physics and Chemistry Laboratory at UCLA

University Of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA

Investigators

Abstract

0318488 Kavner Support for this grant will allow a new assistant Professor at UCLA (Abby Kavner) to develop a first-class high pressure mineral physics/experimental petrology laboratory focused on studies of earth materials at extreme temperatures and pressures in the diamond anvil cell (DAC). Equipment to be purchased includes a laser that will be used with an existing laser to build a dual-sided laser heating system for DAC experiments, a CCD camera, spectrometer and optical components to develop a 2-D radial temperature measurement system capable of making precision measurements of in situ temperature gradients in the DAC, and a Raman spectroscopy system to assist in pressure measurements and in characterizing materials both in situ and after quenching. This laboratory will support the PI's and student research on possible electrochemical reactions at the Earth's core-mantle boundary. The facility will also support collaborative research with mineral physicists nationwide through associations developed within the Consortium for Materials Properties Research in the Earth Sciences (COMPRES). ***