Metallization of fluid hydrogen at 140 GPa (1.4Mbar) by shock compression

Abstract

The minimum electrical conductivity of a metal was produced in dense hydrogen using shock compression. Metallization occurs at 140 GPa (1.4 Mbar), 0.6 g/cm³ (ninefold compression of initial liquid-H₂ density), and 3000 K. The relatively modest temperature generated by a reverberating shock wave produced the metallic state in a warm quantum fluid at a lower pressure than expected previously for the crystallographically ordered solid at low temperatures. Future research directions are discussed. Possible scientific and technological uses of metastable solid metallic hydrogen are speculated upon in the unlikely event that the metallic fluid can be quenched to this state at ambient pressure and temperature.

Key Words:

• Hydrogen
• metallization
• shock experiments