Thermodynamic Properties and Plasma Phase Transition in dense Hydrogen

The internal energy and equation of state of dense hydrogen are investigated by direct path integral Monte Carlo method simulations which are further improved in comparison to our previous results. Data for four isotherms –T= 10, 000K, 30, 000K, 50, 000K, and 100, 000K – are presented. ForT= 10, 000K it is shown that the internal energy is lowered due to droplet formation for densities of the order 1023cm–3giving direct support for the existence of a plasma phase transition in megabar hydrogen. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)