New perspectives onto the metal–to–non-metal transition in expanded liquid metals. (28th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pilgrim, W.-C.; Szubrin, D.; Demmel, F.; Orecchini, A.; Rols, S.; Laloni, A.; De Francesco, A.
• Is Part Of: Europhysics letters. Volume 122:Number 3(2018:May)
• Publication Date: 2018-06-28
• Subjects: 61.05.F- -- 71.30.+h; Physics -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 530.05
• DOI: 10.1209/0295-5075/122/36005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0295-5075

Abstract

Abstract: The collective dynamics of liquid rubidium was measured by inelastic neutron scattering from melting up to 1673 K and 6.4 MPa to explore an electron gas instability, forecasted by theory at sufficient expansion. Pronounced variations are observed when the predicted conditions are approached. They comply with a scenario for the density-driven metal–to–non-metal transition suggested for fluid mercury where the liquid metal decomposes into a nanoemulsion of metallic and non-metallic domains and the metallic domains constantly disappear with ongoing expansion. Collective modes appear as an unambiguous signature of the metallic phase allowing to directly observe this process.