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arXiv · 1211.6482

Superionic to superionic phase change in water: consequences for the interiors of Uranus and Neptune

Hugh F. Wilson·Michael L. Wong·Burkhard Militzer
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Abstract

Using density functional molecular dynamics free energy calculations, we show that the body-centered-cubic phase of superionic ice previously believed to be the only phase is in fact thermodynamically unstable compared to a novel phase with oxygen positions in fcc lattice sites. The novel phase has a lower proton mobility than the bc phase and may exhibit a higher melting temperature. We predict a transition between the two phases at a pressure of 1 +/- 0.5 Mbar, with potential consequences for the interiors of ice giants such as Uranus and Neptune.

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Hugh F. Wilson, Michael L. Wong, Burkhard Militzer. 2012-11-27. Superionic to superionic phase change in water: consequences for the interiors of Uranus and Neptune. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.110.151102

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