Research in Mineralogy, Petrology and Mineral Physics
Mail Address:
Department of Earth and Space Sciences,
University of Washington,
Box 351560
Seattle, WA 98195-1310
Tel:
(206) 543-9586;
Fax:
(206)543-0489;
E-mail: chopelas at ess.washington.edu
Office:
Condon Hall 624
Johnson 243 in January
Ph.D. Physical Chemistry, UCLA, 1981
M.S. Geochemistry, Caltech, 1976
B.S. Chemistry, UCLA, 1974
Research Interests
Measurement of the structure, dynamics, and thermophysical properties of mineral phases vs.pressure and/ or temperature.Experimental techniques: laser Raman and laser fluorescence spectroscopy in the diamond anvil cell, x-ray diffraction. The thrust of my research over the last fifteen years has been investigating thermodynamic and thermoelastic properties of mineral phases relevant to the Earth and other planetary interiors. Geophysicists use the values obtained in my laboratories for modeling planetary interiors, particularly for mineral composition, convection and temperatures. This methodology also works well for condensed gases. Developments are currently underway to extend the high pressure measurements to high temperatures.
Current projects include thermophysical characterization of perovskites and garnet solid solutions. Experiments are underway
on amphiboles and felspars. Raman spectroscopy while laser heating in a diamond anvil cell is being set up with a new single monochromator
for temperature measurement.
Experimental apparatus: Available in my laboratory are: a triple monochromator consisting of a half meter double premonochromator in
tandem with a one meter monochromator, a cooled CCD detector and a confocal microscope. A CO2
laser is online for heating samples either in or outside of a diamond cell. In addition, the University of
Washington has a large selection of excellent resources for conducting experimental research, such as, single
crystal diffractometers, microprobes, high resolution microscopy, as well as synthesis possibilities.
These are available for use on our projects.