View article

In recognition of the profound contributions made by Professor Syun-iti Akimoto in high pressure-high temperature research, which have enhanced our understanding of the earth's interior, and for his tireless efforts in furthering the US-Japan cooperative research program, it is most fitting to dedicate this volume to him. This volume in honor of Professor Akimoto is a symbol of cooperation in international science that is exemplified by his contributions. Mineral physics has rapidly emerged to be recognized as an important interdisciplinary field of the earth sciences. Overlapping with other sister disciplines (mainly physics, chemistry and materials science), it has provided an essential link between the laboratory measurements of the physical and chemical properties of minerals and rocks under extreme conditions of pressure and temperature and the geophysical and geochemical observations of the earth's interior. Since holding the second US-Japan seminar on High-Pressure Research Applications in Geophysics in Hakone, 12–15 January 1981, the advancements in high pressure-high temperature research have continued impressively. The progress in mineral physics between 1981 and 1985 was prolific and highlighted by a number of breakthroughs in experimental methods: using diamondanvil cell and large-volume multi-anvil apparatus as exemplified by the synthesis and characterization of a number of high-density mantle phases; use of synchrotron radiation and laser heating techniques to gain a better understanding of properties of minerals at extreme pressures and temperatures on an atomic level; and in applications of results of these …