Carlo Pierleoni

Phase separation in hydrogen–helium mixtures at Mbar pressures

The properties of hydrogen–helium mixtures at Mbar pressures and intermediate temperatures (4000 to 10000 K) are calculated with first-principles molecular dynamics simulations. We determine the equation of state as a function of density, temperature, and composition and, using thermodynamic integration, we estimate the Gibbs free energy of mixing, thereby determining the temperature, at a given pressure, when helium becomes insoluble in dense metallic hydrogen. These results are directly relevant to models of the interior structure and evolution of Jovian planets. We find that the temperatures for the demixing of helium and hydrogen are sufficiently high to cross the planetary adiabat of Saturn at pressures ≈5 Mbar; helium is partially miscible throughout a significant portion of the interior of Saturn, and to a lesser extent in Jupiter.

First principles methods: A perspective from quantum Monte Carlo

Quantum Monte Carlo methods are among the most accurate algorithms for predicting properties of general quantum systems. We briefly introduce ground state, path integral at finite temperature and coupled electron-ion Monte Carlo methods, their merits and limitations. We then discuss recent calculations using these methods for dense liquid hydrogen as it undergoes a molecular/atomic (metal/insulator) transition. We then discuss a procedure that can be used to assess electronic density functionals, which in turn can be used on a larger scale for first principles calculations and apply this technique to dense hydrogen and liquid water.

The Coupled Electronic-Ionic Monte Carlo Simulation Method

Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) methods such as Variational Monte Carlo, Diffusion Monte Carlo or Path Integral Monte Carlo are the most accu- rate and general methods for computing total electronic energies. We will review methods we have developed to perform QMC for the electrons coupled to another MC simulation for the ions. In this method, one estimates the Born-Oppenheimer energy E(Z) where Z represents the ionic degrees of freedom. That estimate of the energy is used in a Metropolis simulation of the ionic degrees of freedom. Important aspects of this method are how to deal with the noise, which QMC method and which trial function to use, how to deal with generalized boundary conditions on the wave function so as to reduce the finite size effects. We discuss some advantages of the CEIMC method concerning how the quantum effects of the ionic degrees of freedom can be included and how the boundary conditions can be integrated over. Using these methods, we have performed simulations of liquid H2 and metallic H on a parallel computer.

Coupled electron-ion Monte Carlo simulation of hydrogen molecular crystals

We performed simulations for solid molecular hydrogen at high pressures (250 GPa ≤ P ≤ 500 GPa) along two isotherms at T = 200 K (phase III) and at T = 414 K (phase IV). At T = 200 K, we considered likely candidates for phase III, the C2c and Cmca12 structures, while at T = 414 K in phase IV, we studied the Pc48 structure. We employed both Coupled Electron-Ion Monte Carlo (CEIMC) and Path Integral Molecular Dynamics (PIMD). The latter is based on Density Functional Theory (DFT) with the van der Waals approximation (vdW-DF). The comparison between the two methods allows us to address the question of the accuracy of the exchange-correlation approximation of DFT for thermal and quantum protons without recurring to perturbation theories. In general, we find that atomic and molecular fluctuations in PIMD are larger than in CEIMC which suggests that the potential energy surface from vdW-DF is less structured than the one from quantum Monte Carlo. We find qualitatively different behaviors for systems prepared in the C2c structure for increasing pressure. Within PIMD, the C2c structure is dynamically partially stable for P ≤ 250 GPa only: it retains the symmetry of the molecular centers but not the molecular orientation; at intermediate pressures, it develops layered structures like Pbcn or Ibam and transforms to the metallic Cmca-4 structure at P ≥ 450 GPa. Instead, within CEIMC, the C2c structure is found to be dynamically stable at least up to 450 GPa; at increasing pressure, the molecular bond length increases and the nuclear correlation decreases. For the other two structures, the two methods are in qualitative agreement although quantitative differences remain. We discuss various structural properties and the electrical conductivity. We find that these structures become conducting around 350 GPa but the metallic Drude-like behavior is reached only at around 500 GPa, consistent with recent experimental claims.

Local structure in dense hydrogen at the liquid-liquid phase transition by coupled electron-ion Monte Carlo

We present a study of the local structure of high pressure hydrogen around the liquid-liquid transition line based on results from the Coupled Electron-Ion Monte Carlo method. We report results for the Equation of State, for the radial distribution function between protons g(r) and results from a cluster analysis to detect the possible formation of stable molecular ions beyond the transition line, as well as above the critical temperature. We discuss various estimates for the molecular fraction in both phases and show that, although the presence of

Induced charge in a Fröhlich polaron: Sum rule and spatial extent

H_3^+

Restricted Path Integral Monte Carlo Calculations of Hot, Dense Hydrogen

ions is suggested by the form of the g(r) they are not stable against thermal fluctuations.

A Review of Equation-of-State Models for Inertial Confinement Fusion Materials

Within the path-integral formalism, we derive exact expressions for correlation functions measuring the lattice charge induced by an electron and associated polarization in the Frohlich polaron problem. We prove that a sum rule for the total induced charge, already obtained with approximate approaches, is indeed exact. As a consequence the total induced charge is shown rigorously to be temperature independent. In addition, we perform path integral Monte Carlo calculations of the correlation functions and compare them to variational results based on the Feynman method. As the temperature increases the polaron radius decreases. On the other hand, at high temperatures the electron motion is not hindered by the lattice. These apparently contradictory results are discussed.