Effect of sulfur on sound velocity of liquid iron under Martian core conditions

Sulfur has been considered to be a predominant light element in the Martian core, and thus the sound velocity of Fe-S alloys at relevant high pressure and temperature is of great importance to interpret its seismological data. Here we measured the compressional sound velocity (V_P) of liquid Fe, Fe₈₀S₂₀ and Fe₅₇S₄₃ using ultrasonic pulse-echo overlap method combined with a Kawai-type multi-anvil apparatus up to 20 GPa, likely corresponding to the condition at the uppermost core of Mars. The results demonstrate that the V_P of liquid iron is least sensitive to its sulfur concentration in the Mars' whole core pressure range. The comparison of seismic wave speeds of Fe-S liquids with future observations will therefore tell whether the Martian core is molten and contains impurity elements other than sulfur.