Neutrality in the average-atom model

Abstract

We consider the neutrality in the framework of the average-atom model. It is shown that it is difficult to ensure the local neutrality inside the Wigner–Seitz sphere and the global neutrality inside all space. If we keep the neutrality of the Wigner–Seitz sphere, there is a small excess or deficit of charge in all space. Numerical examples are given for aluminum, iron, molybdenum, and gold for various compressions as a function of temperature. The small excess or deficit of charge in all space is noticeable in the warm dense matter regime. At high temperature, the neutrality inside the Wigner–Seitz sphere and in all space is restored.