X-Ray Scattering Studies of Expanded Fluid Metals

Abstract

Fluid metals exhibit significant properties of thermodynamic-state dependence, since the inter-particle interaction among the constituents (electrons and ions) considerably changes depending on their thermodynamic conditions. The authors have thus far carried out X-ray scattering experiments of fluid metals in the expanded state, which have enabled us to gain insight into microscopic understanding of the structural and electronic properties of fluid metals. The purpose of this chapter is to provide intriguing aspects of fluid metals originated from the existence of conduction electrons, which distinguishes fluid metals from non-conducting fluids, through the results of fluid rubidium and mercury.