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Earth’s inner core could include silicon

By Sid Perkins

- More than 2 years ago

Laboratory experiments investigating the crystal structure of iron-silicon alloys at hellish temperatures and pressures may yield new insights into the mineral composition of Earth’s solid, inner core, scientists say.

An iron alloy that includes 8 percent silicon, when laser-heated under high pressure, separates into dark silicon-rich regions and bright silicon-poor zones that have different crystal structures. Heinz et al.