Texture development and deformation mechanisms in ringwoodite

Ringwoodite Mg2SiO4 with spinel structure is an important phase in the earth's mantle transition zone. Controlled deformation experiments showed that ringwoodite underwent ductile deformation when compressed axially at 6-10 GPa and at room temperature in a multianvil D-DIA deformation apparatus. Texture evolution during cyclic compression has been recorded in situ using X-ray transparent anvils with monochromatic synchrotron X-ray diffraction and a two-dimensional detector. Quantitative analysis of the images with the Rietveld method revealed a 1 1 0 fiber texture. By comparing this texture pattern with polycrystal plasticity simulations, it is inferred that {1 1 1} 〈 1̄ 1 0〉 slip is the dominant deformation mechanism in ringwoodite, consistent with high temperature mechanisms observed in other spinel-structured materials. Although strong ringwoodite textures may develop in the transition zone, the contribution to bulk anisotropy is minimal due to the weak single-crystal anisotropy. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.