0000000001035999
AUTHOR
Giuseppe Miccichè
A computational study of point defects and diffusion in enstatite
In order to contribute to the understanding of diffusion processes in enstatite (Mg2Si2O6), we have used atomistic simulation techniques to study point defects in this mineral. We present results for a variety of Scottky and Frenkel defects of all atomic species present in it. We have furthermore calculated the activation energy for magnesium diffusion. We break diffusion down into a succession of hops between neighboring sites. Each hop is associated with a migration energy barrier. By making a series of hops, the diffusing ion may cross the unit cell. The maximum migration energy necessary to attain movement in a direction is the activation energy for diffusion in that direction. The defe…
Computational study of defects in ideal phengite
Phengite is the name of a series designating the “potassic dioctahedral micas between, or close to, the joins muscovite-aluminoceladonite and muscovite-celadonite” (Rieder et al. 1998). These micas play a important role in most petrogenetic reactions occurring in high-pressure (HP) metamorphic environments; they are useful geothermobarometers and participate in reactions as H2O carriers in the subduction zone. In this work we have employed atomistic simulations techniques to model defects, evaluate the most stable defect species and determine the most likely diffusion mechanism in crystals. We have calculated the defect formation energies for vacancies, impurities and interstitials, Frenkel…