Simple model for the phase coexistence and electrical conductivity of alkali fluids

Abstract

We report the first theoretical model for the alkali fluids which yields a liquid-vapor phase coexistence with the experimentally observed features and electrical conductivity estimates which are also in accord with observations. We have carried out a Monte Carlo simulation for a lattice gas model which allows an integrated study of the structural, thermodynamic, and electronic properties of metal-atom fluids. Although such a technique is applicable to both metallic and nonmetallic fluids, non-additive interactions due to valence electron delocalization are a crucial feature of the present model.