In a research paper published under Physical assessment B, researchers have been trying to devise a new way to measure the properties of water when it is subjected to intense pressure. The method is anointed as Ice Vllt, which is an intermediate/tetragonal phase between cubic phase, Ice-VII and Ice-X. Researchers who conducted this study confirmed that the probability of the existence of such a phase on Earth was highly unlikely. The researchers added that the phase could be a common ingredient in Earth’s mantle and water-rich planets that existed outside our solar system.
To conduct this study, the team of researchers used two diamonds that were facing each other. The team passed the water sample between the points of the diamonds. Adding in the findings of the tests, the researchers stated that applying a little pressure to the diamonds allowed them to create a pressure equal to that exerted by the center of the Earth.
Post that the ice has gone through a laser heating technique. The ice temporarily melted before turning into a powdery collection of tiny crystals. The team noted that the water ice is transitioning from a cubic phase to a newly discovered arrangement called the Ice-Felt. This would help scientists understand exoplanets and their composition.
About the researchers who chaired this study
The study was led and written by Zach Grande. He is pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. He was accompanied by Huy Pham, John Boisvert and seven more qualified researchers. The researchers who came up with this finding emphasized how phase detection can help understand exoplanets and their habitability aspects.