Measurement on the electrical conductivity of copper along the binodal curve in warm dense regime

Abstract

This paper presents the electrical conductivity data of copper along the gas branch of the binodal curve in the warm dense matter (WDM) regime as a function of mass density and temperature. All data are obtained using the underwater wire explosion technique, in which vaporized copper cools along the gas branch of the binodal curve during the period of current dwell after the wire explodes. Mass density and temperature are measured by fast imaging and optical spectroscopy, respectively. Combining these data with electrical measurements of the wire resistance, we obtain the conductivities of copper along the binodal curve in the WDM regime. The electrical conductivity data measured here are expected to be helpful for developing a more accurate and reliable theory of transport properties in the WDM regime.