Thermal Conductivity Measurements in Metals at High Pressures and Temperatures.

Abstract:

The transport properties of iron and iron alloys at high pressures and temperatures are crucial parameters in planetary evolution models, yet are difficult to determine both theoretically and experimentally. Estimates of thermal conductivity in the Earth’s core range from 30 to 150 W/mK, a substantial range leaving many open questions regarding the age of the inner core, the thermal structure of the outer core, and the conditions for a working geodynamo. Most experiments have measured electrical resistivity rather than directly measuring thermal conductivity, and have used models to extrapolate from low-temperature data to the high temperature conditions of the core. Here we present direct, in-situ high-pressure and high-temperature measurements of the thermal conductivity of metals in the diamond-anvil cell. Double-sided continuous laser heating is combined with one-side flash heating of a metallic foil, while the time-resolved temperature is measured from both sides with spectral radiometry in an optical streak camera. Emission and temperature perturbations measured on opposite sides of the foil were modeled using finite element calculations in order to extract thermal diffusivity and conductivity of foils. Results on platinum and iron at high pressures and temperatures will be presented.