We examined the phase relation of Fe2S to 306 GPa and 3,000 K and found that Fe2S forms an orthorhombic structure with space group Pnma above 190 GPa. Reexamination of… Click to show full abstract
We examined the phase relation of Fe2S to 306 GPa and 3,000 K and found that Fe2S forms an orthorhombic structure with space group Pnma above 190 GPa. Reexamination of previous X‐ray diffraction data demonstrated that hexagonal close‐packed Fe coexists with Pnma Fe2S at >2,700 K and ~290 GPa, while it concurs with CsCl (B2)‐type stoichiometric FeS at lower temperatures. Our results indicate that Fe2S is the most Fe‐rich iron sulfide above ~250 GPa where Fe3S is not stable. It is most likely that eutectic melting occurs between Fe and Fe2S at 330 GPa corresponding to inner core boundary conditions, instead of between Fe and Fe3S below 250 GPa. The compression curve of Fe2S obtained to 294 GPa shows that it is not dense enough to account for the inner core density, suggesting that the Fe‐Fe2S eutectic liquid gives the maximum sulfur concentration in the outer core.
               
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