Quantum Monte Carlo Simulation of the High-Pressure Molecular-Atomic Crossover in Fluid Hydrogen

Abstract

A first-order liquid-liquid phase transition in high-pressure hydrogen between molecular and atomic fluid phases has been predicted in computer simulations using ab initio molecular dynamics approaches. However, experiments indicate that molecular dissociation may occur through a continuous crossover rather than a first-order transition. Here we study the nature of molecular dissociation in fluid hydrogen using an alternative simulation technique in which electronic correlation is computed within quantum Monte Carlo, the so-called Coupled Electron Ion Monte Carlo (CEIMC) method. We find no evidence for a first-order liquid-liquid phase transition.

4 pages, 5 figures; content changed; accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Lett