136 research outputs found
Polytypism and polysomatism in mixed-layer chalcogenides: characterization of PbBi(4)Te(4)S(3) and inferences for ordered phases in the aleksite series
Bi-Pb-chalcogenides of the aleksite series represent homologous mixed-layer compounds derived from tetradymite (BiâTeâS). Considering tetradymite as composed of five-atom (BiâTeâS) layers, the named minerals of the aleksite homologous series, aleksite (PbBiâTeâSâ) and saddlebackite, (PbâBiâTeâSâ) have been considered as phases formed by regular stacking of longer seven- and nine-atom layers. High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscope (HAADF-STEM) imaging of thinned foils prepared in-situ on domains deemed homogeneous from electron probe microanalysis, STEM energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) element mapping and fast Fourier transforms (FFTs) from the images offer new insights into these structures. The hitherto-unnamed phase, PbBiâTeâSâ, previously interpreted as regular intergrowths of five- and seven-atom layers, is characterized in terms of regular repeats of five- and seven-atom layers over distances of at least 350 nm, defining the (57), or 24H polytype. Imaging of other domains in the same lamella with identical composition at the electron microprobe scale reveals the presence of two additional polytypes: (5559), or 48H; and (557.559) or 72H. Unit cell dimensions for all three polytypes of PbBiâTeâSâ can be both measured and predicted from the HAADF STEM imaging and FFTs. STEM EDS mapping of each polytype confirm the internal structure of each layer. Lead and S occur within the centre of the layers, i.e., TeâBiâSâPbâSâBiâTe in the seven-atom layer, TeâBiâSâPbâSâPbâSâBiâTe in the nine-atom layer, and so on. Polytypism is an intrinsic feature of the aleksite series, with each named mineral or unnamed phase, except the simple five-atom layer, defined by several alternative stacking sequences of different length, readily explaining the differing c values given in previous work. Homology is defined in terms of layer width and the stacking arrangement of those layers. Coherent structures of the same composition need not only be built of layers of adjacent size (i.e., five- and seven-atom layers) but, as exemplified by the (5559) polytype, may also contain non-adjacent layers, a finding not anticipated in previous work. New polysomes remain to be discovered in nature and each potentially exists as multiple polytypes. The present study further emphasizes the utility of HAADF STEM imaging and atomic-scale STEM EDS element mapping as an optimal tool for tracking stacking sequences and characterising structures in mixed-layer compounds.Nigel J. Cook, Cristiana L. Ciobanu, Wenyuan Liu, Ashley Slattery, Benjamin P. Wade, Stuart J. Mills, and Christopher J. Stanle
Mineralogy of zirconium in ironâoxides: a micronâ to nanoscale study of hematite ore from peculiar Knob, South Australia
Zirconium is an element of considerable petrogenetic significance but is rarely found in hematite at concentrations higher than a few parts-per-million (ppm). Coarse-grained hematite ore from the metamorphosed Peculiar Knob iron deposit, South Australia, contains anomalous concentrations of Zr and has been investigated using microanalytical techniques that can bridge the micron- to nanoscales to understand the distribution of Zr in the ore. Hematite displays textures attributable to annealing under conditions of high-grade metamorphism, deformation twins (r~85° to hematite elongation), relict magnetite and fields of sub-micron-wide inclusions of baddeleyite as conjugate needles with orientation at ~110°/70°. Skeletal and granoblastic zircon, containing only a few ppm U, are both present interstitial to hematite. Using laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) spot analysis and mapping, the concentration of Zr in hematite is determined to be ~260 ppm on average (up to 680 ppm). The Zr content is, however, directly attributable to nm-scale inclusions of baddeleyite pervasively distributed throughout the hematite rather than Zr in solid solution. Distinction between nm-scale inclusions and lattice-bound trace element substitutions cannot be made from LA-ICP-MS data alone and requires nanoscale characterization. Scandium-rich (up to 0.18 wt. % Sc2O3) cores in zircon are documented by microprobe analysis and mapping. Using high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging (HAADF-STEM) and energy-dispersive spectrometry STEM mapping of foils prepared in-situ by focused ion beam methods, we identify [ 01ÂŻ1 ]baddeleyite epitaxially intergrown with [ 22ÂŻ.1 ]hematite. Lattice vectors at 84â86° underpinning the epitaxial intergrowth orientation correspond to directions of r-twins but not to the orientation of the needles, which display a ~15° misfit. This is attributable to directions of trellis exsolutions in a precursor titanomagnetite. UâPb dating of zircon gives a 206Pb/238U weighted mean age of 1741 ± 49 Ma (sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe UâPb method). Based on the findings presented here, detrital titanomagnetite from erosion of mafic rocks is considered the most likely source for Zr, Ti, Cr and Sc. Whether such detrital horizons accumulated in a basin with chemical precipitation of Fe-minerals (banded iron formation) is debatable, but such Fe-rich sediments clearly included detrital horizons. Martitization during the diagenesis-supergene enrichment cycle was followed by high-grade metamorphism during the ~1.73â1.69 Ga Kimban Orogeny during which martite recrystallized as granoblastic hematite. Later interaction with hydrothermal fluids associated with ~1.6 Ga Hiltaba-granitoids led to W, Sn and Sb enrichment in the hematite. By reconstructing the evolution of the massive orebody at Peculiar Knob, we show how application of complimentary advanced microanalytical techniques, in-situ and on the same material but at different scales, provides critical constraints on ore-forming processes.William Keyser, Cristiana L. Ciobanu, Nigel J. Cook, Holly Feltus, Geoff Johnson, Ashley Slattery, Benjamin P. Wade and Kathy Ehri
Zircon at the nanoscale records metasomatic processes leading to large magmatic-hydrothermal ore systems
The petrography and geochemistry of zircon offers an exciting opportunity to better understand the genesis of, as well as identify pathfinders for, large magmaticâhydrothermal ore systems. Electron probe microanalysis, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) imaging, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry STEM mapping/spot analysis were combined to characterize Proterozoic granitic zircon in the eastern Gawler Craton, South Australia. Granites from the ~1.85 Ga Donington Suite and ~1.6 Ga Hiltaba Suite were selected from locations that are either mineralized or not, with the same style of iron-oxide copper gold (IOCG) mineralization. Although Donington Suite granites are host to mineralization in several prospects, only Hiltaba Suite granites are considered âfertileâ in that their emplacement at ~1.6 Ga is associated with generation of one of the best metal-endowed IOCG provinces on Earth. Crystal oscillatory zoning with respect to non-formula elements, notably Fe and Cl, are textural and chemical features preserved in zircon, with no evidence for U or Pb accumulation relating to amorphization effects. Bands with Fe and Ca show mottling with respect to chloroâhydroxyâzircon nanoprecipitates. Lattice defects occur along fractures crosscutting such nanoprecipitates indicating fluid infiltration post-mottling. Lattice stretching and screw dislocations leading to expansion of the zircon structure are the only nanoscale structures attributable to self-induced irradiation damage. These features increase in abundance in zircons from granites hosting IOCG mineralization, including from the world-class Olympic Dam CuâUâAuâAg deposit. The nano- to micron-scale features documented reflect interaction between magmatic zircon and corrosive FeâCl-bearing fluids in an initial metasomatic event that follows magmatic crystallization and immediately precedes deposition of IOCG mineralization. Quantification of α-decay damage that could relate zircon alteration to the first percolation point in zircon gives ~100 Ma, a time interval that cannot be reconciled with the 2â4 Ma period between magmatic crystallization and onset of hydrothermal fluid flow. Crystal oscillatory zoning and nanoprecipitate mottling in zircon intensify with proximity to mineralization and represent a potential pathfinder to locate fertile granites associated with CuâAu mineralization.Liam Courtney-Davies, Cristiana L. Ciobanu, Max R. Verdugo-Ihl, Ashley Slattery, Nigel J. Cook, Marija Dmitrijeva, William Keyser, Benjamin P. Wade, Urs I. Domnick, Kathy Ehrig, Jing Xu, and Alkiviadis Kontonikas-Charo
Magnetic Field Generation in Stars
Enormous progress has been made on observing stellar magnetism in stars from
the main sequence through to compact objects. Recent data have thrown into
sharper relief the vexed question of the origin of stellar magnetic fields,
which remains one of the main unanswered questions in astrophysics. In this
chapter we review recent work in this area of research. In particular, we look
at the fossil field hypothesis which links magnetism in compact stars to
magnetism in main sequence and pre-main sequence stars and we consider why its
feasibility has now been questioned particularly in the context of highly
magnetic white dwarfs. We also review the fossil versus dynamo debate in the
context of neutron stars and the roles played by key physical processes such as
buoyancy, helicity, and superfluid turbulence,in the generation and stability
of neutron star fields.
Independent information on the internal magnetic field of neutron stars will
come from future gravitational wave detections. Thus we maybe at the dawn of a
new era of exciting discoveries in compact star magnetism driven by the opening
of a new, non-electromagnetic observational window.
We also review recent advances in the theory and computation of
magnetohydrodynamic turbulence as it applies to stellar magnetism and dynamo
theory. These advances offer insight into the action of stellar dynamos as well
as processes whichcontrol the diffusive magnetic flux transport in stars.Comment: 41 pages, 7 figures. Invited review chapter on on magnetic field
generation in stars to appear in Space Science Reviews, Springe
Planck intermediate results. VIII. Filaments between interacting clusters
About half of the baryons of the Universe are expected to be in the form of
filaments of hot and low density intergalactic medium. Most of these baryons
remain undetected even by the most advanced X-ray observatories which are
limited in sensitivity to the diffuse low density medium. The Planck satellite
has provided hundreds of detections of the hot gas in clusters of galaxies via
the thermal Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (tSZ) effect and is an ideal instrument for
studying extended low density media through the tSZ effect. In this paper we
use the Planck data to search for signatures of a fraction of these missing
baryons between pairs of galaxy clusters. Cluster pairs are good candidates for
searching for the hotter and denser phase of the intergalactic medium (which is
more easily observed through the SZ effect). Using an X-ray catalogue of
clusters and the Planck data, we select physical pairs of clusters as
candidates. Using the Planck data we construct a local map of the tSZ effect
centered on each pair of galaxy clusters. ROSAT data is used to construct X-ray
maps of these pairs. After having modelled and subtracted the tSZ effect and
X-ray emission for each cluster in the pair we study the residuals on both the
SZ and X-ray maps. For the merging cluster pair A399-A401 we observe a
significant tSZ effect signal in the intercluster region beyond the virial
radii of the clusters. A joint X-ray SZ analysis allows us to constrain the
temperature and density of this intercluster medium. We obtain a temperature of
kT = 7.1 +- 0.9, keV (consistent with previous estimates) and a baryon density
of (3.7 +- 0.2)x10^-4, cm^-3. The Planck satellite mission has provided the
first SZ detection of the hot and diffuse intercluster gas.Comment: Accepted by A&
Planck 2015 results. XXVII. The Second Planck Catalogue of Sunyaev-Zeldovich Sources
We present the all-sky Planck catalogue of Sunyaev-Zeldovich (SZ) sources detected from the 29 month full-mission data. The catalogue (PSZ2) is the largest SZ-selected sample of galaxy clusters yet produced and the deepest all-sky catalogue of galaxy clusters. It contains 1653 detections, of which 1203 are confirmed clusters with identified counterparts in external data-sets, and is the first SZ-selected cluster survey containing > confirmed clusters. We present a detailed analysis of the survey selection function in terms of its completeness and statistical reliability, placing a lower limit of 83% on the purity. Using simulations, we find that the Y5R500 estimates are robust to pressure-profile variation and beam systematics, but accurate conversion to Y500 requires. the use of prior information on the cluster extent. We describe the multi-wavelength search for counterparts in ancillary data, which makes use of radio, microwave, infra-red, optical and X-ray data-sets, and which places emphasis on the robustness of the counterpart match. We discuss the physical properties of the new sample and identify a population of low-redshift X-ray under- luminous clusters revealed by SZ selection. These objects appear in optical and SZ surveys with consistent properties for their mass, but are almost absent from ROSAT X-ray selected samples
ThâUâtotal Pb geochronology of authigenic monazite in the Adelaide rift complex, South Australia, and implications for the age of the type Sturtian and Marinoan glacial deposits
Planck intermediate results: IV. the XMM-Newton validation programme for new Planck galaxy clusters
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