Hydrogen
is the most abundant element in the universe and oxygen the most abundant
element in the terrestrial planets. Not surprisingly solid water is
one of the most abundant solids in the solar system. The P,T regime
throughout the solar system invites a wealth of solid structures,
some ordered, some only partially ordered, others fully disordered.
To date more than twelve crystalline phases have been identified to
the Mbar pressure regime, not all being fully ordered or stable. The
stability field of these phases is not well characterized, the reason
being the large amplitude of the hysteresis loops. In addition there
is pressure-induced amorphization. This rich structural phenomenology
is unmatched by other solids. We are currently investigating pressure-induced
amorphization, structural systematics, and phase relations in H20
ice.
Hydrogen
is the most abundant element in the universe and oxygen the most abundant
element in the terrestrial planets. Not surprisingly solid water is
one of the most abundant solids in the solar system. The P,T regime
throughout the solar system invites a wealth of solid structures,
some ordered, some only partially ordered, others fully disordered.
To date more than twelve crystalline phases have been identified to
the Mbar pressure regime, not all being fully ordered or stable. The
stability field of these phases is not well characterized, the reason
being the large amplitude of the hysteresis loops. In addition there
is pressure-induced amorphization. This rich structural phenomenology
is unmatched by other solids. We are currently investigating pressure-induced
amorphization, structural systematics, and phase relations in H20
ice.