Electrical conductivity and equation-of-state study of warm dense copper: Measurements and quantum molecular dynamics calculations

Absolute measurements of the pressure and the electrical conductivity of expanded copper in the warm dense matter regime (ρ=0.5--0.30.3em0exg∕cm³ and 60000.3em0exK<T<300.2em0ex0000.3em0exK) are obtained in an isochoric plasma closed-vessel (EPI). Quantum molecular dynamics simulations are found to be in excellent agreement with the experimental results, allowing for a detailed interpretation of the optical conductivities. A shift in energy of the 4s→4p atomic line is explained by the rise of ionization with temperature.