Simulation of the pre-melting behaviour of MgSiO3 perovskite at high pressures and temperatures

Computer simulations of MgSiO3 perovskite under typical lower-mantle pressures and temperatures have been performed using the constant-temperature and constant-pressure molecular dynamics method. At pressures above 10 GPa, the simulations suggest that orthorhombic MgSiO3 perovskite undergoes a temperature-induced phase transformation to a cubic phase before melting, and that the cubic phase is a solid electrolyte.