Absorption spectrum of
shock-compressed Fe2+-bearing MgO and the
radiative conductivity of the lower mantle
Tsuneaki Goto, Thomas J, Ahrens, George R. Rossman
Division of Geological and Planetary
Sciences
California Institute of Technoogy
Pasadena, CA 91125
Yasuhiko Syono
The Research Institute for Iron, Steel and other Metals
Tohoko University
Sendai Japan 19898
Abstract
New shock wave measurements of the optical absorption spectrum from 410 to 580 nm of 0.14 and 0.26 mole percent Fe2+-bearing
MgO (synthetic periclase) have been carried out to pressures of 42 GPa,
and demonstrate considerably lower opacities at short wavelengths than
inferred from static high pressure measurements on more Fe2+-rich
samples. Although the spectra obtained under dynamic pressure
conditions demonstrate a marked increase in the absorption coefficient
at 410 nm (e.g., from 0.3 to 0.65 cm-1 for 0.26 mole percent Fe2+), in qualitative agreement with the effect of pressure on more Fe2+-rich
samples, the absolute values of the absorptivity coefficients observed
are ~102 lower than those inferred from static high pressure spectral
data for iron-rich materials probably containing relatively more ferric
iron. The spectra for (Mg0.9, Fe0.1)O inferred
from Mao and Bell's (1977) static results to 31 GPa imply that
radiative thermal conductivity for the lower mantle (~3000 K) is
effectively blocked by significant opacity in the optical range. When
the present shock-wave results, for which the Fe3+ content is believed to be less than 5% of the total iron, are extrapolated to a typical mantle Fe2+ composition, temperatures of ~3000 K and pressure of 31 GPa, a significant radiative thermal conductivity, 4 J (s K m)-1 is calculated, implying that significant radiative thermal conductivity of the lower mantle may take place in Fe2+-depleted minerals under highly reducing conditions.
last updated: 23-May-2019