Opacity and conductivity measurements in noble gases at conditions of planetary and stellar interiors
- Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, DC 20015,, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, United Kingdom,, Centre for Science at Extreme Conditions, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, United Kingdom,, Departamento de Geociencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá DC, Colombia,, Department of Mathematics, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059,
- Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, DC 20015,
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron Photon Science, 22607 Hamburg, Germany,
- Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, DC 20015,, Department of Mathematics, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059,
- Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, DC 20015,, Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
The noble gases are elements of broad importance across science and technology, and are primary constituents of planetary and stellar atmospheres, where they segregate into droplets or layers that affect the thermal, chemical, and structural evolution of their host body. We have measured the optical properties of noble gases at relevant high pressures and temperatures in the laser-heated diamond anvil cell, observing insulator-to-conductor transformations in dense helium, neon, argon, and xenon at 4,000 to 15,000 K and pressures of 15-52 GPa. The thermal activation and frequency-dependence of conduction reveal an optical character dominated by electrons of low mobility, as in an amorphous semiconductor or poor metal, rather than free electrons as is often assumed for such wide band gap insulators at high temperatures. White dwarf stars having helium outer atmospheres cool slower and may have different color than if atmospheric opacity were controlled by free-electrons. As a result, helium rain in Jupiter and Saturn becomes conducting at conditions well correlated with increased solubility in metallic hydrogen, while a deep layer of insulating neon may inhibit core erosion in Saturn.
- Research Organization:
- Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, D.C. (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- FC52-08NA28554; EFREE; Instrumentation grant; NA0002006
- OSTI ID:
- 1235152
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1335154
- Journal Information:
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Journal Name: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Vol. 112 Journal Issue: 26; ISSN 0027-8424
- Publisher:
- Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Web of Science
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