Electron irradiation induces phase decomposition of single-crystal enstatite (MgSiO3) to polycrystalline forsterite (Mg2SiO4) and vitreous silica and phase decomposition of cordierite (2MgO.2Al2O3.5SiO2=Mg2Al4Si5O18) to polycrystalline spinel (MgAl2O4) and vitreous silica. The decomposition processes are observed to occur in two steps and involve an intermediate amorphous phase which nucleates from the free surface before final recrystallization. Ion-beam thinning of these silicates accelerates the decomposition.
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Lee et al. (1986) studied this question.
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