ABSTRACT
Ferropericlase [(Mg,Fe)O] is one of the most abundant minerals of the earth's lower mantle. The high-spin (HS) to low-spin (LS) transition in the Fe(2+) ions may dramatically alter the physical and chemical properties of (Mg,Fe)O in the deep mantle. To understand the effects of compression on the ground electronic state of iron, electronic and magnetic states of Fe(2+) in (Mg0.75Fe0.25)O have been investigated using transmission and synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy at high pressures and low temperatures (down to 5 K). Our results show that the ground electronic state of Fe(2+) at the critical pressure Pc of the spin transition close to T = 0 is governed by a quantum critical point (T = 0, P = P(c)) at which the energy required for the fluctuation between HS and LS states is zero. Analysis of the data gives P(c) = 55 GPa. Thermal excitation within the HS or LS states (T > 0 K) is expected to strongly influence the magnetic as well as physical properties of ferropericlase. Multielectron theoretical calculations show that the existence of the quantum critical point at temperatures approaching zero affects not only physical properties of ferropericlase at low temperatures but also its properties at P-T of the earth's lower mantle.
ABSTRACT
A miniature versatile nonmagnetic diamond anvil cell for diverse physical property measurement under cryogenic environments and high magnetic fields at high pressure has been developed. Several such cells have been manufactured and tested in the Physical Properties Measurement System (PPMS) by Quantum Design at high pressures and low temperatures. The cells have good pressure stability during temperature scans down to helium temperatures and back to room temperature. The cells have been tested in strong magnetic fields and demonstrated excellent nonmagnetic properties. The wide-angle side openings give the possibility to use this cell as a "panoramic cell" in synchrotron experiments requiring large angle off-axis access. The possible experiments, which may use this cell, include spectroscopic experiments (optical, synchrotron Mossbauer, Raman, x-ray emission, etc.), different types of x-ray diffraction experiments, transport measurements (resistivity, magnetoresistivity, thermoelectromotive force, etc.), measurements of susceptibility, and many other conventional and synchrotron experiments at very low temperatures and in strong magnetic fields.
