Ab Initio Simulations of Dense Helium Plasmas

TL;DR

This paper investigates the thermophysical properties of dense helium plasmas using advanced molecular dynamics simulations, providing insights into their equation of state, electrical conductivity, and electronic thermal conductivity across a range of densities and temperatures.

Contribution

It presents new simulation data on dense helium plasmas, including their thermophysical properties and conductivity, covering a broad density and temperature range.

Findings

Equation of state data for dense helium plasmas.

Electrical and thermal conductivities derived from simulations.

Observation of a transition in the Lorenz number indicating a change in plasma coupling and degeneracy.

Abstract

We study the thermophysical properties of dense helium plasmas by using quantum molecular dynamics and orbital-free molecular dynamics simulations, where densities are considered from 400 to 800 g/cm$^{3}$ and temperatures up to 800 eV. Results are presented for the equation of state. From the Kubo-Greenwood formula, we derive the electrical conductivity and electronic thermal conductivity. In particular, with the increase in temperature, we discuss the change in the Lorenz number, which indicates a transition from strong coupling and degenerate state to moderate coupling and partial degeneracy regime for dense helium.