Abstract
A study of Ca self-diffusion along the b axis in synthetic (iron free) diopside single crystal was performed at temperatures ranging from 1273 K to 1653 K. Diffusion profiles of 44Ca were measured using α-particles Rutherford Backscattering (α-RBS) micro analysis. We unambiguously find two distinct diffusional regimes, characterized by activation enthalpies H = 280 ± 26 kJ/mol and H = 951 ± 87 kJ/mol at temperatures lower and upper than 1515 K, respectively. This change of diffusion regime takes place near the onset of premelting as detected in calorimetric measurements and can be interpreted in terms of enhanced formation of Frenkel point defects with an activation enthalpy of formation of 1524 ± 266 kJ/mol (H f/2 = 762 kJ/mol), in accordance with our high-temperature diffusion data. If premelting of diopside is actually related to Ca-Frenkel point defect concentration, this concentration could reach up to few mole percents close to the melting temperature.
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Dimanov, A., Ingrin, J. Premelting and high-temperature diffusion of Ca in synthetic diopside: An increase of the cation mobility. Phys Chem Minerals 22, 437–442 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00200321
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00200321