Determination of the viscosity and density of liquid iron alloys at high pressure and high temperature and implications for Mars' core

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23340167
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Petrology/Mineralogy/Science of ore deposit
• Research Institution: 一般財団法人総合科学研究機構(総合科学研究センター(総合科学研究室)及び東海事業センター(利用研究促進部)) (2013-2014); Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (2011-2012)
• Principal Investigator: FUNAKOSHI Kenichi 一般財団法人総合科学研究機構(総合科学研究センター(総合科学研究室)及び東海事業, その他部局等, その他 (30344394)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): SHIMONO Masaru 龍谷大学, 理工学部, 実験講師 (30319496)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): OHTAKA Osamu 大阪大学, 大学院理学研究科, 准教授 (40213748)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: ダイヤモンド複合体 / アンビル / 放射光 / 高温高圧 / 粘性 / 密度 / 融体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We designed a new system for measuring the viscosities of liquids at high pressure using the falling-sphere technique, combined with synchrotron radiation X-ray and a diamond/SiC composite anvil. Installation of the system and improvement of the coating marker sphere have allowed the viscosity measurements of liquid iron alloys at SPring-8. Considering the synthesis method of diamond/SiC composite, a new harder anvil than a conventional tungsten carbide anvil has been developed. We also designed a new method for measuring the density and viscosity of liquids using the falling-sphere technique and successfully determined the density and viscosity of liquid sulfur at high pressures. Our results suggest that sulfur may not play an important role in Mars' core.

Free Research Field

高圧地球科学