Thermodynamics of hydrogen and helium plasmas in megabar and multi-megabar pressure range under strong shock and isentropic compression

Abstract

An approach based on the chemical picture of plasma is proposed for the description of thermodynamics and the equation of the state of warm dense matter. Corresponding to this approach, the effects of Coulomb interaction, the short range repulsion of atoms and molecules, free electron degeneracy, and radiation pressure contributions are taken into account. A family of models based upon this approach is presented and discussed. The possibilities of these models for the description of strongly coupled plasma of hydrogen isotopes and noble gases under megabar and terapascal pressures under shock and isentropic compression are demonstrated. The asymptotic properties of the models at high temperatures are demonstrated, showing their application to the very accurate description of solar plasma.