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Koemets, Egor

Publications and source records attributed to Koemets, Egor.

A MHz X-ray diffraction set-up for dynamic compression experiments in the diamond anvil cell

An experimental platform for dynamic diamond anvil cell (dDAC) research has been developed at the High Energy Density (HED) Instrument at the European X-ray Free Electron Laser (European XFEL). Advantage was taken of the high repetition rate of the European XFEL (up to 4.5 MHz) to collect pulse-resolved MHz X-ray diffraction data from samples as they are dynamically compressed at intermediate strain rates (≤10 3 s −1 ), where up to 352 diffraction images can be collected from a single pulse train. The set-up employs piezo-driven dDACs capable of compressing samples in ≥340 µs, compatible with the maximum length of the pulse train (550 µs). Results from rapid compression experiments on a wide range of sample systems with different X-ray scattering powers are presented. A maximum compression rate of 87 TPa s −1 was observed during the fast compression of Au, while a strain rate of ∼1100 s −1 was achieved during the rapid compression of N 2 at 23 TPa s −1 .

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Polymorphism of feldspars above 10 GPa

Feldspars are rock-forming minerals that make up most of the Earth’s crust. Along the mantle geotherm, feldspars are stable at pressures up to 3 GPa and may persist metastably at higher pressures under cold conditions. Previous structural studies of feldspars are limited to ~10 GPa, and have shown that the dominant mechanism of pressure-induced deformation is the tilting of AlO 4 and SiO 4 tetrahedra in a tetrahedral framework. Herein, based on results of in situ single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies up to 27 GPa, we report the discovery of new high-pressure polymorphs of the feldspars anorthite (CaSi 2 Al 2 O 8 ), albite (NaAlSi 3 O 8 ) , and microcline (KAlSi 3 O 8 ). The phase transitions are induced by severe tetrahedral distortions, resulting in an increase in the Al and/or Si coordination number. High-pressure phases derived from feldspars could persist at depths corresponding to the Earth upper mantle and could possibly influence the dynamics and fate of cold subducting slabs.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

The crystal structures of Fe-bearing MgCO 3 sp 2 - and sp 3 -carbonates at 98 GPa from single-crystal X-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation

The crystal structure of MgCO 3 -II has long been discussed in the literature where DFT-based model calculations predict a pressure-induced transition of the carbon atom from the sp 2 to the sp 3 type of bonding. We have now determined the crystal structure of iron-bearing MgCO 3 -II based on single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements using synchrotron radiation. We laser-heated a synthetic (Mg 0.85 Fe 0.15 )CO 3 single crystal at 2500 K and 98 GPa and observed the formation of a monoclinic phase with composition (Mg 2.53 Fe 0.47 )C 3 O 9 in the space group C 2/ m that contains tetrahedrally coordinated carbon, where CO 4 4- tetrahedra are linked by corner-sharing oxygen atoms to form three-membered C 3 O 9 6- ring anions. The crystal structure of (Mg 0.85 Fe 0.15 )CO 3 (magnesium iron carbonate) at 98 GPa and 300 K is reported here as well. In comparison with previous structure-prediction calculations and powder X-ray diffraction data, our structural data provide reliable information from experiments regarding atomic positions, bond lengths, and bond angles.

Chariton, Stella (ORCID:0000000155220498)↗