Isotope quantum effects in the metallization transition in liquid hydrogen

Abstract

Quantum effects in condensed matter normally only occur at low temperatures. Here we show a large quantum effect in high-pressure liquid hydrogen at thousands of Kelvins. We show that the metallization transition in hydrogen is subject to a very large isotope effect, occurring hundreds of degrees lower than the equivalent transition in deuterium. We examined this using path integral molecular dynamics simulations which identify a liquid-liquid transition involving atomization, metallization, and changes in viscosity, specific heat and compressibility. The difference between H$_2$ and D$_2$ is a quantum mechanical effect which can be associated with the larger zero-point energy in H$_2$ weakening the covalent bond. Our results mean that experimental results on deuterium must be corrected before they are relevant to understanding hydrogen at planetary conditions.