Magnetic characterization of non-ideal single-domain monoclinic pyrrhotite and its demagnetization under hydrostatic pressure up to 2 GPa with implications for impact demagnetization

• Published in: Meteoritics & planetary science 2016-08, Vol.257, p.79-90
• Main Authors: Bezaevaa, Natalia S, Chareevd, Dmitriy A, Rochettee, Pierre, Karsf, Myriam, Gattaccecae, Jerome, Feinbergg, Joshua M, Sadykovh, Ravil A, Kuzinac, Dilyara M, Axenovh, Sergey N
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carriers; Demagnetization; Grains; Hydrostatic pressure; Magnetic properties; Meteorites; Pyrrhotite; Remanence; Sciences of the Universe
• ISSN: 0031-9201; 1086-9379; 1945-5100
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pepi.2016.05.009

Here we present a comprehensive magnetic characterization of synthesized non-ideal single-domain (SD) monoclinic pyrrhotite (Fe sub(7)S sub(8)). The samples were in the form of a powder and a powder dispersed in epoxy. "Non-ideal" refers to a powder fraction of predominantly SD size with a minor contribution of small pseudo-single-domain grains; such non-ideal SD pyrrhotite was found to be a remanence carrier in several types of meteorites (carbonaceous chondrites, SNC...), which justifies the usage of synthetic compositions as analogous to natural samples. Data were collected from 5 to 633 K and include low-field magnetic susceptibility ( chi sub(0)), thermomagnetic curves, major hysteresis loops, back-field remanence demagnetization curves, first-order reversal curves (FORCs), alternating field and pressure demagnetization of saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM), low temperature data (such as zero-field-cooled and field-cooled remanence datasets together with room temperature SIRM cooling-warming cycles) as well as XRD and Mossbauer spectra. The characteristic Besnus transition is observed at similar to 33 K. FORC diagrams indicate interacting SD grains. The application of hydrostatic pressure up to 2 GPa using nonmagnetic high-pressure cells resulted in the demagnetization of the sample by 32-38%. Repeated cycling from 1.8 GPa to atmospheric pressure and back resulted in a total remanence decrease of 44% (after 3 cycles). Pressure demagnetization experiments have important implications for meteorite paleomagnetism and suggest that some published paleointensities of meteorites with non-ideal SD monoclinic pyrrhotite as remanence carrier may be lower limits because shock demagnetization was not accounted for.