Phase transitions in dense hydrogen - helium plasmas

Abstract

In this paper we study thermodynamic properties of hydrogen-helium mixtures with the help of direct Path-Integral Monte Carlo simulations. Presented are preliminary results of pressure and energy isotherms in the range from 10 4 K to 2 · 10 5 K in comparison with available theoretical and experimental results. In the density region, where experiments have observed a sharp conductivity rise the simulations yield indications for one or two plasma phase transitions, in accordance with earlier predictions.