Free electron to electride transition in dense liquid potassium

• Published in: Nature physics Vol. 17; no. 8; pp. 955 - 960
• Main Authors: Zong, Hongxiang, Robinson, Victor Naden, Hermann, Andreas, Zhao, Long, Scandolo, Sandro, Ding, Xiangdong, Ackland, Graeme J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.08.2021; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 119/118; 639/638/563/979; 639/638/563/981; 639/766/119/1002; 639/766/119/2795; Abnormalities; Alkali metals; Anions; Atomic; Classical and Continuum Physics; Complex Systems; Condensed Matter Physics; Coordination numbers; Free electrons; Liquid phases; Liquid potassium; Mathematical and Computational Physics; Molecular; Optical and Plasma Physics; Phase diagrams; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Potassium; Theoretical; Thermal expansion; Thermodynamic properties

At high pressures, simple metals such as potassium have a rich phase diagram including an insulating electride phase in which electrons have a localized, anionic character. Measurements in the liquid phase have shown a transition between two states, but experimental challenges have prevented detaile...