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The field of lattice dynamics links the atomistic vibrational properties of a material to its macroscopic thermodynamic properties. In physics and chemistry lattice dynamic studies have been undertaken for a number of years, but, in comparison, relatively little work has been done in crystallography/mineralogy. This is partly a result of their historical development where the focus has been a determination of the static properties of crystal structures using primarily diffraction measurements. In addition, compositionally and structurally complex silicates that are of geochemical and geophysical interest are not easily amenable to lattice dynamic study. This situation in mineralogy has been changing and experimental vibrational spectroscopic and computational investigations are increasing in both number and scope. Although further study of the important silicate mineral groups is required before their vibrational properties are well described, good progress has been made in understanding many simple oxide and silicate structures. Atomistic and lattice dynamic study, when combined with the solid base of structural, crystal chemical and thermodynamic data that exists for silicates, enables prediction of mineral behaviour at different pressure and temperature conditions. In addition, it provides valuable insight that can be used to interpret or understand the macroscopic thermodynamic functions like heat capacity and bulk physical properties such as thermal expansion and elastic constants. These are cutting-edge research topics for mineralogists and mineral physicists and work in this general area is now an important part of mineral sciences. Accordingly, this book considers the energetic and lattice dynamic properties of Earth and planetary materials and, here

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