Molecular-dynamics modeling of shock-compressed liquid hydrogen

We have developed a tight-binding model of hydrogen with a single s orbital on each atom that reproduces properties of the dimer, of various crystalline structures, and of the fluid. Molecular-dynamics simulations, performed in the density and temperature regime of recent experiments on shock-compressed liquid hydrogen, give pressures and electrical conductivities in general agreement with the measured values. We also demonstrate a close connection between the conductivity and dissociation of the molecules in the fluid.