Structural studies of molecular fluids at high pressure under laser heating: some preliminary results
Abstract
Simultaneous x-ray diffraction and laser heating of molecular fluids at high pressure in a diamond anvil cell is a technique that offers great potential for understanding the fluid interiors of giant planets. In particular, direct density measurement of molecular fluids (e.g. H2, CH4, NH3, H2O, O2, N2) at the temperatures and pressures of planetary adiabats, when combined with gravitational-field data, may allow improved interior models and density profiles. We present high-pressure, high-temperature x-ray diffraction data taken at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility for the fluid halogens iodine (I2) and bromine (Br2) as a first step toward developing this technique. We choose these materials because their higher Z and simpler phase diagrams make them easier to study than the lower Z planetary molecules. Nevertheless, the physical changes we observe in the dense, fluid halogens may be indicative of similar behavior in other diatomic molecules of great planetary interest, i.e. H2 and O2.
- Publication:
-
EGS - AGU - EUG Joint Assembly
- Pub Date:
- April 2003
- Bibcode:
- 2003EAEJA....13594B