Material Properties of Saturn’s Interior from Ab Initio Simulations

• Published in: The Astrophysical journal. Supplement series Vol. 269; no. 2; pp. 47 - 57
• Main Authors: Preising, Martin, French, Martin, Mankovich, Christopher, Soubiran, François, Redmer, Ronald
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Saskatoon The American Astronomical Society 01.12.2023; IOP Publishing
• Subjects: Chemical thermodynamics; Density functional theory; Diffusion coefficient; Diffusion layers; Diffusion rate; Electrical conductivity; Electrical resistivity; Helium; Hydrogen; Lorenz number; Material properties; Metallicity; Molecular dynamics; Molecular physics; Oxygen; Planetary interior; Planetary science; Planetary structure; Plasma physics; Quantum-chemical calculations; Saturn; Solar system gas giant planets; Specific heat; Theoretical models; Transport properties; Viscosity
• ISSN: 0067-0049; 1538-4365
• DOI: 10.3847/1538-4365/ad0293

Abstract We investigate the material properties of a mixture of hydrogen, helium, and oxygen representative of Saturn’s interior at pressure–temperature conditions of a recent Saturn model (see Mankovich & Fortney) with molecular dynamics simulations based on density functional theory. Their model considers the demixing of hydrogen and helium and predicts a He-rich layer above a diluted core. We calculate the thermodynamic and transport properties and discuss the impact on Saturn’s evolution and interior structure. We find a significant impact of the He-rich layer on the specific heat capacity, speed of sound, viscosity, diffusion coefficients, thermal and electrical conductivity, Lorenz number, and magnetic and thermal diffusivities.