MR11C-08:
Exotic behavior of matter in the deep interiors of exoplanets
MR11C-08:
Exotic behavior of matter in the deep interiors of exoplanets
Monday, 15 December 2014: 9:45 AM
Abstract:
Matter at several millions to billions of atmospheres (Mbar to Gbar) pressure is quite common throughout the universe, existing deep inside stars, sub-stellar objects (e.g., brown dwarfs), and planets. At these conditions recent experiments and theory suggest material properties are richer than previously expected, with a structural complexity and core electron chemistry distorting the standard models of extreme density matter. New capabilities now provide the first controlled laboratory-based experiments into this pressure range. Described here are new ramp compression experiments, revealing the mechanical and structural properties of solids to 50 million atmospheres, and shock compression experiments exploring the properties of dense fluids (equation of state and transport) from Mbar to near Gbar pressures. This paper will describe a few recent discoveries for such matter and the potential implications for current planetary models.Prepared by LLNL under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344