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R. Cauble, D. K. Bradley, P. M. Celliers, G. W. Collins, L. B. Da Silva, S. Moon, D. Munro, R. J. Wallace (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory)
The structure and evolution of giant planets and low-mass stars is largely governed by the equations of state (EOS) of the planetary constituents at extreme pressures. The EOS, ionization, and transport properties of Mbar-pressure fluids are all relevant to these astrophysical objects. Of particular interest are hydrogen, helium, carbon, and low-Z compounds such as water. In this "warm dense" regime of matter, experimental data are necessary as guides to theory. High intensity lasers can access these extreme states of matter. The Nova and Omega lasers have been used to shock-compress diamond and water to multi-Mbar pressures. Nova produced EOS data on deuterium at the metal-insulator transition. Reflectivity was measured form which we made evaluations of the ionization state and electrical conductivity.
Work performed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under the auspices of the US Department of Energy.