Laser-driven shock experiments on precompressed water: Implications for "icy" giant planets.
Laser-driven shock compression of samples precompressed to 1 GPa produces high-pressure-temperature conditions inducing two significant changes in the optical properties of water: the onset of opacity followed by enhanced reflectivity in the initially transparent water. The onset of reflectivity at infrared wavelengths can be interpreted as a semiconductor<-->electronic conductor transition in water, and is found at pressures above approximately 130 GPa for single-shocked samples precompressed to 1 GPa. Our results indicate that conductivity in the deep interior of "icy" giant planets is greater than realized previously because of an additional contribution from electrons.
Lee
Kanani K M
KK
Department of Earth & Planetary Science, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720-4767, USA.
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