Inelastic Neutron Scattering and Lattice Dynamics: Perspectives and Challenges in Mineral Physics

Abstract

An understanding of the fundamental physics of the Earth's interior requires information about the phase transitions and thermodynamic properties of key mantle-forming mineral phases. Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) is an indispensable tool for determining key lattice dynamics properties like the phonon dispersion relation (PDR) and density of states, which govern a wide range of material behaviors including structural phase transitions, thermodynamic properties, elasticity, and melting. In this chapter we review recent reported studies involving INS and lattice dynamics calculations of geophysically important minerals. We also review recent applications of INS involving experimental and theoretical ab initio and atomistic studies of the phonon spectra and thermodynamic properties of minerals and of other novel phenomena like high-pressure phonon softening, structural phase transitions, pressure-induced amorphization, magnetic excitations, melting, etc. We discuss the current understanding of the dynamical behavior, thermodynamic properties, and phase transitions of key mantle components like the olivine and pyroxene end members forsterite and enstatite, the mineral zircon, important silica polymorphs, and magnesium oxide; recent results on water and ice; other complex silicates; hydrogen storage materials; etc. Inelastic neutron scattering and complementary techniques like inelastic X-ray scattering have been used to explore the high-pressure PDR and density of states of iron, diamond, and magnesium oxide; to study magnetic excitations; to estimate the magnetic contributions to thermodynamic properties; etc. The theoretical calculations enable fruitful microscopic interpretations of complex experimental data and provide an atomic-level understanding of vibrational and thermodynamic properties.