Mineral physics and crystal chemistry of mantle minerals and analogue phases; phase equilibria, x-ray and neutron diffraction, vibrational spectroscopy, and theoretical modelling of mineral structures. High-pressure crystallography combined with high-pressure infrared and Raman spectroscopy, applied to studies of mineral stabilities.


The most fundamental questions in mineral physics and crystal chemistry are: "What minerals exist under given constraints of pressure, temperature, and composition, and why?" The major aim of my research is to understand the atomistic factors that influence the free energy of minerals, including the effect of pressure and temperature. To achieve this goal, we use a combination of theoretical modelling with experimental techniques such as x-ray and neutron diffraction to determine the structure and volume relations of crystals, infrared and Raman spectroscopy to reveal the vibrational properties of minerals that, in turn, govern many of their thermodynamic properties. Experiments are carried out under different P-T conditions, suitable for probing the Earth’s interior.


Spectroscopic facilities include an Intsruments S.A. laser Raman microprobe, a Dilor X-Y Raman microscope, and a Nicolet 740 FTIR spectrometer. For a full description of the facilities available for high-pressure crystallography follow the links on the left.


Recent research of graduate students and post-docs has included the investigation of the role of iron in mantle minerals, the high-pressure behavior of perovskites, equations of state of dense hydrous silicates, vibrational properties of garnets, and the effect of minor components on the stabilities and compressibilities of mantle phases. For information on funding available for studentships or post-docs to work in the Crystallography Laboratory, consult the link to positions on the left.


I teach GEOS3504 (MSE 3104): MINERALOGY
The course covers the principles of modern mineralogy, crystal chemistry, and crystallography, with emphasis on mineral atomic structure and physical property relationships, mineralogy in the context of geology, geochemistry, environmental science and geophysics, phase equilibria, mineral associations, and mineral identification, and industrial applications of minerals.
Prerequistes: MATH 1016, CHEM 1036.