Aggregate sound velocities and acoustic Grüneisen parameter of iron up to 300 GPa and 1,200 K.

Abstract

Successful interpretation of available geophysical data requires experimental and theoretical information on the elasticity of solids under physical conditions of Earth's interior. Because iron is considered as major component in Earth's core, elastic properties of iron at high pressures and temperatures are very important for modeling its composition and dynamics. We use in situ x-ray diffraction data on epsilon-iron at static pressures up to 300 GPa and temperatures to 1,200 K to determine the Debye-Waller temperature factors and calculate aggregate sound velocities and Grüneisen parameter of epsilon-iron by using an approach that is based on Rietveld refinement at high pressures and temperatures.