Electrical conductivity anisotropy in alkali feldspar at high temperature and pressure

The electrical conductivity of alkali feldspar along different orientations was determined at 1.0 GPa and at temperatures of 823-1286 K in a cubic anvil apparatus using alternating current impedance spectroscopy. Impedance arcs representing crystal conductivity occur in the frequency range of similar to 10(3)-10(6) Hz. The electrical conductivity of alkali feldspar increases with increasing temperature. The highest electrical conductivities in alkali feldspars were measured along the a-axis, with somewhat lower conductivities along the b-axis, and the lowest conductivities along the c-axis, suggesting minor anisotropy. The activation enthalpies ranged from 100 to 110 kJ/mol. The anisotropic results were combined to yield an isotropic model with an activation enthalpy of 102 kJ/mol. By comparing these results with previous results, we suggest that the dominating charge carriers for alkali feldspars are alkali ions. The minor anisotropy in conductivity for alkali feldspar may not account for the anisotropy of the crust.