Electrical conductivity of dense Al, Ti, Fe, Ni, Cu, Mo, Ta, and W plasmas

Abstract

We report measurements of electrical conductivity of eight metals in the plasma state at densities ranging from 0.002 to 0.5 times solid density, and with internal energy from 2 to 30 kJ/gm. Data are presented as functions of internal energy and specific volume. Conductivity is observed to fall as the plasma expands for fixed internal energy, and for all but tantalum and titanium shows a minimum at approximately 0.01 times solid density, followed by an increase as the density decreases further.