Quantum mechanics

Phase (matter)

Chemical physics

Materials science

Phase transition

Solid hydrogen

Metallic hydrogen

Astrophysics

Liquid hydrogen

Dissociation (chemistry)

Exoplanet

Statistical physics

Supercritical fluid

Physical chemistry

Thermodynamics

Hydrogen

Physics

Liquid water

Superconductivity

Condensed matter physics

Phase diagram

Gas giant

Chemistry

Planet

Nature

Hydrogen exhibits unusual behaviors at megabar pressures, with consequences for planetary science, condensed matter physics and materials science. Experiments at such extreme conditions are challenging, often resulting in hard-to-interpret and controversial observations. We present a theoretical study of the phase diagram of dense hydrogen, using machine learning to overcome time and length scale limitations while describing accurately interatomic forces. We reproduce the re-entrant melting behavior and the polymorphism of the solid phase. In simulations based on the machine learning potential we find evidence for continuous metallization in the liquid, as a first-order liquid-liquid transition is pre-empted by freezing. This suggests a smooth transition between insulating and metallic layers in giant gas planets, and reconciles existing discrepancies between experiments as a manifestation of supercritical behavior.

Evidence for supercritical behaviour of high-pressure liquid hydrogen