Iron partitioning between perovskite and post-perovskite: A transmission electron microscope study

The effect of iron on the post-perovskite phase transition has been controversial. We have performed direct chemical analyses of co-existing perovskite and post-perovskite that were synthesized from an (Mg0.91Fe0.09)SiO3 bulk composition using a laser-heated diamond anvil cell at pressures above 100 GPa and temperatures of 1700-1800 K. Analysis on quenched samples was carried out using the transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results demonstrate that crystalline perovskite grains are enriched in iron compared to adjacent amorphous parts presumably converted from post-perovskite. This indicates that ferrous iron stabilizes perovskite to higher pressures. The ferrous and ferric irons are likely to have competing effects on the post-perovskite phase transition, and therefore the effect of iron may be controlled by aluminum.