Project Details
Projekt
Warm dense matter explored with shock wave experiments
Subject Area
Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
Term
from 2019 to 2023
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 409807083
In recent decades, the physics of high energy density has made an impressive progress and, at present, continues to be developed rapidly by leading research groups. This development is driven both by new possibilities to generate and diagnose at laboratory conditions states of matter at and with high energy density as well as new methods to observe and probe astrophysical objects, where such states are realized, and by the relevance for applications, for instance anti-meteorite protection of spacecrafts, inertial thermonuclear synthesis or safety of nuclear power. The latest experimental methods for extremely high energy input into targets under study led to the possibility to create GPa pressure in a variety of environments, and thus open up new opportunities for studying the structure and physical properties of various materials. The joint project of scientists of the IPCP RAS (Russia) and the Rostock University (Germany) is aimed at solving fundamental problems of nonideal plasma physics. Experimental studies of optical and transport properties of shock-compressed strongly correlated plasmas will be performed by the Russian side. The theoretical modeling will be executed by the German side using modern quantum-statistical methods (Green's function techniques, response formalism, numerical simulations) in order to calculate the dielectric function for the characterisation of the sytems' optical response. The required expertise for the simulation of thermodynamic parameters will be provided by the Russian side.Within the project we focus on reflectivity and viscosity. The reflectivity will be investigated as a function of pressure and temperature in order to understand the physics of the emerging plasma profile on the probe surface. New shock wave experiments shall be designed. Dense noble gases (xenon, argon and crypton) will be used as target materials. The obtained data on polarization properties of dense plasmas will be used to create a detailed physical model of the medium taking into account microscopic processes in the shock wave front. The claim for a minimum ratio of shear viscosity to entropy density is still an unsolved problem which will be tackled experimentally and theoretically in a combined effort of both project partners.These collaborative experimental and theoretical studies will allow a better understanding of physical processes in strongly correlated media and solve fundamental problems with respect to the structure of matter. The results of these studies will be of great fundamental importance and can be used by relevant experts when performing applied work.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
International Connection
Russia
Partner Organisation
Russian Foundation for Basic Research
Cooperation Partner
Professor Dr. Yury B. Zaporozhets
