Minéralogie, Pétrologie et physique planétaire (MP3)

L’équipe de Minéralogie, Pétrologie et physique planétaire (MP³) étudie les propriétés chimiques et physiques des matériaux géologiques sous conditions thermodynamiques extrêmes.

The research team study the physical and chemical properties of materials relevant for Earth and Planetary Science, under extreme thermodynamic conditions. 

Research topics focus on the structure and processes of the interiors of the telluric planets of the solar system and of exoplanets, over a large diversity of compositions. Our approach combines fundamental physics, mineral-physics, petrology and geochemistry. In situ high-pressure, high-temperature measurements by static and dynamic compression and optical spectroscopy, laser acoustics, synchrotron techniques and free electron lasers, are complemented with electron microscopy analysis. Natural and synthetic samples are investigated by the methods of petrology, mineralogy and geochemistry. Research topics include (but are not limited to): i) phase diagrams, melting curves, chemical reactivity, transition mechanisms; ii) structural and dynamical properties of minerals, metals, liquids and amorphous materials at extreme conditions; iii) past and actual geodynamic elemental cycles; iv) transfers amongst planetary reservoirs; v) fluid-rock interaction and alteration.