Energy of a quantum Coulomb liquid

Abstract

ABSTRACT Using the Metropolis method to compute path integrals, the energy of a quantum strongly coupled Coulomb liquid (1 ≤ Γ ≤ 175), composed of distinguishable atomic nuclei and a uniform incompressible electron background, is calculated from first principles. The range of temperatures and densities considered represents fully ionized layers of white dwarfs and neutron stars. In particular, the results allow one to determine reliably the heat capacity of ions in dense fluid stellar matter, which is a crucial ingredient for modelling the thermal evolution of compact degenerate stars.