Electronic and structural properties of ferropericlase at mantle conditions

Ferropericlase (MgxFe1-x)O is one of the main components of the Earth’s lower mantle as well as other rocky planets. At conditions relevant to the Earth’s lower mantle (MgxFe1-x)O is known to undergo a pressure-induced transition from high spin to low spin state, which is at ambient temperatures at 40-70 GPa. This spin crossover is known to be affected by both temperature and Fe content x.Here, we propose to benefit from the recently installed Von Hamos spectrometer at ID27 to perform simultaneous x-ray diffraction and emission spectroscopy experiments at high pressures and high temperatures using double sided laser heating of diamond anvil cells. The obtained data will be extremely relevant for the understanding of planetary interiors and their evolution.