Texture development and deformation mechanisms in ringwoodite

Ringwoodite Mg₂SiO₄ with spinel structure is an important phase in the earth's mantle transition zone. Controlled deformation experiments showed that ringwoodite underwent ductile deformation when compressed axially at 6-10 GPa and at room temperature in a multianvil D-DIA deformation apparatus. Texture evolution during cyclic compression has been recorded in situ using X-ray transparent anvils with monochromatic synchrotron X-ray diffraction and a two-dimensional detector. Quantitative analysis of the images with the Rietveld method revealed a 1 1 0 fiber texture. By comparing this texture pattern with polycrystal plasticity simulations, it is inferred that {1 1 1}〈 1 0〉 slip is the dominant deformation mechanism in ringwoodite, consistent with high temperature mechanisms observed in other spinel-structured materials. Although strong ringwoodite textures may develop in the transition zone, the contribution to bulk anisotropy is minimal due to the weak single-crystal anisotropy.