Fluid-like elastic response of superionic NH3 in Uranus and Neptune

Abstract

Nondipolar magnetic fields exhibited at Uranus and Neptune may be derived from a unique geometry of their icy mantle with a thin convective layer on top of a stratified nonconvective layer. The presence of superionic H2O and NH3 has been thought as an explanation to stabilize such nonconvective regions. However, a lack of experimental data on the physical properties of those superionic phases has prevented the clarification of this matter. Here, our Brillouin measurements for NH3 show a two-stage reduction in longitudinal wave velocity (Vp) by ∼9% and ∼20% relative to the molecular solid in the temperature range of 1,500 K and 2,000 K above 47 GPa. While the first Vp reduction observed at the boundary to the superionic α phase was most likely due to the onset of the hydrogen diffusion, the further one was likely attributed to the transition to another superionic phase, denoted γ phase, exhibiting the higher diffusivity. The reduction rate of Vp in the superionic γ phase, comparable to that of the liquid, implies that this phase elastically behaves almost like a liquid. Our measurements show that superionic NH3 becomes convective and cannot contribute to the internal stratification.