Title: Exploring Condensed Matter Physics at Extreme Pressure
Abstract: Materials in our daily lives occur at ambient conditions. However, most materials in the universe exist in extreme pressure up to hundreds of gigapascals via self compression induced by naturally-occuring gravitational force. Physics and chemistry of matter at extreme pressures can be drastically different from those at ambient conditions. In this presentation, I will use three „most abundant elements“ as examples to highlight new perspectives of condensed matter physics at high pressure:
(1). Hydrogen, the most abundant and perhaps simple element of the universe: molecular hydrogen transitioning to near-room temperature superconducting hydrides;
(2). Nitrogen, the most abundant element in the atmosphere: triple bonded nitrogen (N≡N) transforming to single-bonded hexazine (N-N in N6 ring);
(3). Iron, the most abundant transition metal of the planet: heat conduction of iron generating thermal energy to power the planet’s magnetic field.
