Perovskite at Lower Mantle Conditions*

Thermal conductivity (κ) of mantle minerals modulates strongly both the style of mantle convection and the time scale of the mantle and core cooling. It is therefore a fundamental parameter for geodynamic modeling. Cubic CaSiO₃ perovskite (CaPv) is believed to be the third most abundant mineral in the lower mantle (LM) (6 – 10 wt%). However, despite its importance, investigations of its properties are challenging because of its strong anharmonicity, particularly κ since prevailing theoretical approaches encounter difficulties in dealing with its strong anharmonicity. Experimental measurements at relevant high pressures and temperatures are equally challenging. Therefore, no previous estimate of CaPv’s κ exists at mantle conditions, experimental or theoretical. Here we present ab initio quantum mechanical results of this property obtained using an established phonon quasiparticle approach that can address the strongly anharmonic situation in CaPv. These results are substantiated by direct experimental measurements of this property at LM conditions. These results and data agree very well and reveal a surprisingly large κ of cubic CaPv compared to MgSiO₃-perovskite, which is only weakly anharmonic.