Lowell Miyagi

Deformation of (Mg,Fe)SiO3 Post-Perovskite and D'' Anisotropy

Polycrystalline (Mg0.9,Fe0.1)SiO3 post-perovskite was plastically deformed in the diamond anvil cell between 145 and 157 gigapascals. The lattice-preferred orientations obtained in the sample suggest that slip on planes near (100) and (110) dominate plastic deformation under these conditions. Assuming similar behavior at lower mantle conditions, we simulated plastic strains and the contribution of post-perovskite to anisotropy in the D″ region at the Earth core-mantle boundary using numerical convection and viscoplastic polycrystal plasticity models. We find a significant depth dependence of the anisotropy that only develops near and beyond the turning point of a downwelling slab. Our calculated anisotropies are strongly dependent on the choice of elastic moduli and remain hard to reconcile with seismic observations.

Slip Systems in MgSiO3 Post-Perovskite: Implications for D′′ Anisotropy

Slippery When Squeezed The behavior of seismic waves as they pass through Earths interior depends on the physical properties of major mineral phases at depth. If such minerals are anisotropic—that is, they influence seismic waves preferentially depending on crystallographic orientation—interpreting the structure of a region becomes more challenging. In the lowermost mantle, near the boundary with the outer core, deformation of MgSiO3 post-perovskite may affect anisotropy. Miyagi et al. (p. 1639) solved previous experimental limitations to show that, when squeezed at high pressures, MgSiO3 post-perovskite weakens and breaks along its (001) lattice plane. When modeled, this deformation pattern produces anisotropic structures that are consistent with seismic data collected from this region. The major mineral phase in the lower mantle deforms preferentially along one lattice plane. Understanding deformation of mineral phases in the lowermost mantle is important for interpreting seismic anisotropy in Earth’s interior. Recently, there has been considerable controversy regarding deformation-induced slip in MgSiO3 post-perovskite. Here, we observe that (001) lattice planes are oriented at high angles to the compression direction immediately after transformation and before deformation. Upon compression from 148 gigapascals (GPa) to 185 GPa, this preferred orientation more than doubles in strength, implying slip on (001) lattice planes. This contrasts with a previous experiment that recorded preferred orientation likely generated during the phase transformation rather than deformation. If we use our results to model deformation and anisotropy development in the D′′ region of the lower mantle, shear-wave splitting (characterized by fast horizontally polarized shear waves) is consistent with seismic observations.

Rietveld texture analysis from synchrotron diffraction images. II. Complex multiphase materials and diamond anvil cell experiments

© International Centre for Diffraction Data 2014. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction images are increasingly used to characterize crystallographic preferred orientation distributions (texture) of fine-grained polyphase materials. Diffraction images can be analyzed quantitatively with the Rietveld method as implemented in the software package Materials Analysis Using Diffraction. Here we describe the analysis procedure for diffraction images collected with high energy X-rays for a complex, multiphase shale, and for those collected in situ in diamond anvil cells at high pressure and anisotropic stress.

In situ phase transformation and deformation of iron at high pressure and temperature

With a membrane based mechanism to allow for pressure change in a sample in a radial diffraction diamond anvil cell and simultaneous infrared laser heating, it is now possible to investigate texture changes during deformation and phase transformations over a wide range of temperature-pressure conditions. The device is used to study bcc (α), fcc (γ), and hcp (e) iron. In bcc iron, room temperature compression generates a texture characterized by (100) and (111) poles parallel to the compression direction. During the deformation induced phase transformation to hcp iron, a subset of orientations is favored to transform to the hcp structure first and generate a texture of (011¯0) at high angles to the compression direction. Upon further deformation, the remaining grains transform, resulting in a texture that obeys the Burgers relationship of (110)bcc//(0001)hcp. Contrary to these results for low temperature, at high temperature texture is developed through dominant pyramidal ⟨a+c⟩ {21¯1¯2} ⟨21¯1¯3⟩ and basal ...

Experimental method for in situ determination of material textures at simultaneous high pressure and high temperature by means of radial diffraction in the diamond anvil cell

We introduce the design and capabilities of a resistive heated diamond anvil cell that can be used for side diffraction at simultaneous high pressure and high temperature. The device can be used to study lattice-preferred orientations in polycrystalline samples up to temperatures of 1100 K and pressures of 36 GPa. Capabilities of the instrument are demonstrated with preliminary results on the development of textures in the bcc, fcc, and hcp polymorphs of iron during a nonhydrostatic compression experiment at simultaneous high pressure and high temperature.

Combined resistive and laser heating technique for in situ radial X-ray diffraction in the diamond anvil cell at high pressure and temperature

To extend the range of high-temperature, high-pressure studies within the diamond anvil cell, a Liermann-type diamond anvil cell with radial diffraction geometry (rDAC) was redesigned and developed for synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments at beamline 12.2.2 of the Advanced Light Source. The rDAC, equipped with graphite heating arrays, allows simultaneous resistive and laser heating while the material is subjected to high pressure. The goals are both to extend the temperature range of external (resistive) heating and to produce environments with lower temperature gradients in a simultaneously resistive- and laser-heated rDAC. Three different geomaterials were used as pilot samples to calibrate and optimize conditions for combined resistive and laser heating. For example, in Run#1, FeO was loaded in a boron-mica gasket and compressed to 11 GPa then gradually resistively heated to 1007 K (1073 K at the diamond side). The laser heating was further applied to FeO to raise temperature to 2273 K. In Run#2, Fe-Ni alloy was compressed to 18 GPa and resistively heated to 1785 K (1973 K at the diamond side). The combined resistive and laser heating was successfully performed again on (Mg0.9Fe0.1)O in Run#3. In this instance, the sample was loaded in a boron-kapton gasket, compressed to 29 GPa, resistive-heated up to 1007 K (1073 K at the diamond side), and further simultaneously laser-heated to achieve a temperature in excess of 2273 K at the sample position. Diffraction patterns obtained from the experiments were deconvoluted using the Rietveld method and quantified for lattice preferred orientation of each material under extreme conditions and during phase transformation.

In situ laser heating and radial synchrotron x-ray diffraction in a diamond anvil cell

We report a first combination of diamond anvil cell radial x-ray diffraction with in situ laser heating. The laser-heating setup of ALS beamline 12.2.2 was modified to allow one-sided heating of a sample in a diamond anvil cell with an 80 W yttrium lithium fluoride laser while probing the sample with radial x-ray diffraction. The diamond anvil cell is placed with its compressional axis vertical, and perpendicular to the beam. The laser beam is focused onto the sample from the top while the sample is probed with hard x-rays through an x-ray transparent boron-epoxy gasket. The temperature response of preferred orientation of (Fe,Mg)O is probed as a test experiment. Recrystallization was observed above 1500 K, accompanied by a decrease in stress.

A compositional origin to ultralow-velocity zones

We analyzed vertical component short-period ScP waveforms for 26 earthquakes occurring in the Tonga-Fiji trench recorded at the Alice Springs Array in central Australia. These waveforms show strong precursory and postcursory seismic arrivals consistent with ultralow-velocity zone (ULVZ) layering beneath the Coral Sea. We used the Viterbi sparse spike detection method to measure differential travel times and amplitudes of the postcursor arrival ScSP and the precursor arrival SPcP relative to ScP. We compare our measurements to a database of 340,000 synthetic seismograms finding that these data are best fit by a ULVZ model with an S wave velocity reduction of 24%, a P wave velocity reduction of 23%, a thickness of 8.5 km, and a density increase of 6%. This 1:1 VS:VP velocity decrease is commensurate with a ULVZ compositional origin and is most consistent with highly iron enriched ferropericlase.

Seismic array constraints on the D″ discontinuity beneath Central America

We analyzed 16,150 transverse component seismic recordings from 54 deep-focus earthquakes in the South American and Caribbean regions recorded at broadband stations in North America between 2005 and 2012. We treated subgroups of seismic stations within 3° radius geographical bins as seismic arrays and performed vespagram analysis. We focused on the S, ScS, and Scd arrivals and collected data in the epicentral distance range from 55° to 90°. In particular, we searched for D′′ discontinuity presence in the vespagrams in a 25° by 35° (or 1520 by 2130 km) area beneath Central America. Analysis of these data showed 125 clear Scd observations, 180 Scd observations of lesser quality, and 343 nonobservations. We produced a new map of the discontinuity height beneath Central America. Our map shows an average discontinuity height of 286 ± 6 km (σ =76 km). The region is punctuated by a large topographic high centered at approximately 10°N and 90°W with a maximum height of 380 km. Two smaller topographic highs are located at approximately 4°N and 81°W (discontinuity height of 320 km) and at 4°N and 70°W (height of 315 km). The observation of multiple Scd arrivals collocated with the strongest gradients in inferred topography provides evidence for topographic variation on the discontinuity rather than multiple discontinuities. The regions where the discontinuity has the greatest height can be explained by localized enrichment of mid-ocean ridge basalt from the subducted Farallon slab impinging on the core-mantle boundary.

Efficient graphite ring heater suitable for diamond-anvil cells to 1300 K

In order to generate homogeneous high temperatures at high pressures, a ring-shaped graphite heater has been developed to resistively heat diamond-anvil cell (DAC) samples up to 1300 K. By putting the heater in direct contact with the diamond anvils, this graphite heater design features the following advantages: (1) efficient heating: sample can be heated to 1300 K while the DAC body temperature remains less than 800 K, eliminating the requirement of a special alloy for the DAC; (2) compact design: the sample can be analyzed with in situ measurements, e.g., x-ray, optical, and electrical probes are possible. In particular, the side access of the heater allows for radial x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements in addition to traditional axial XRD.