Thermal conductivity of periclase (MgO) from first principles.
We combine first-principles calculations of forces with the direct nonequilibrium molecular dynamics method to determine the lattice thermal conductivity k of periclase (MgO) up to conditions representative of the Earth's core-mantle boundary (136 GPa, 4100 K). We predict the logarithmic density derivative a=(∂ln k/∂ln ρ)(T)=4.6±1.2 and that k=20±5  Wm(-1) K(-1) at the core-mantle boundary, while also finding good agreement with extant experimental data at much lower pressures.
Stackhouse
Stephen
S
Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1005, USA. s.stackhouse@berkeley.edu
Stixrude
Lars
L
Karki
Bijaya B
BB