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We report on the dynamics of ultrafast heating in cryogenic hydrogen initiated by a ≲300  fs, 92 eV free electron laser x-ray burst. The rise of the x-ray scattering amplitude from a second x-ray pulse probes the transition from dense cryogenic molecular hydrogen to a nearly uncorrelated plasmalike structure, indicating an electron-ion equilibration time of ∼0.9  ps. The rise time agrees with radiation hydrodynamics simulations based on a conductivity model for partially ionized plasma that is validated by two-temperature density-functional theory.

As the main constituent of planetary cores, pure iron phase diagram under high pressure and temperature is of fundamental importance in geophysics and planetary science. However, previously reported iron-melting curves show large discrepancies (up to 1000 K at the Earth's core-mantle boundary, 136 GPa), resulting in persisting high uncertainties on the solid-liquid phase boundary. Here we unambiguously show that the observed differences commonly attributed to the nature of the used melting diagnostic are due to a carbon contamination of the sample as well as pressure overestimation at high temperature. The high melting temperature of pure iron under core-mantle boundary (4250 ± 250 K), here determined by X-ray absorption experiments at the Fe K-edge, indicates that volatile light elements such as sulfur, carbon, or hydrogen are required to lower the crystallization temperature of the Earth's liquid outer core in order to prevent extended melting of the surrounding silicate mantle.Plain Language Summary Iron is the main constituent of planetary cores; however, there are still large controversies regarding its melting temperature and phase diagram under planetary interior conditions. The present study reconciles different experimental approaches using laser-heated diamond anvil cell with different in situ X-ray diagnostics (absorption, diffraction, and Mossbauer spectroscopy). The main reason of discrepancies (over 1000 K at core-mantle boundary conditions) is attributed to carbon contamination from the diamond anvils and metrology issues related to thermal pressure overestimation. A high-melting temperature for iron at core-mantle boundary pressure would imply the presence of volatile elements in the liquid outer core, such as sulfur, carbon, or hydrogen, in order to lower its crystallization temperature and avoid extended melting of the surrounding silicate mantle.