From Experiments to Planets: Bridging the Gap Between Experimental Results and Astrophysical Applications Through Ab Initio Simulations

Planets comprise diverse materials subjected to a wide range of thermodynamic conditions. Their deep interiors experience extreme densities and temperatures, where materials undergo intricate dissociation and ionization processes. These behaviors profoundly influence planetary structure and evolution, necessitating a comprehensive accounting of the underlying physics to accurately characterize planetary properties.

Experimental efforts - both under static and dynamic compression, coupled with advanced diagnostics - have provided impressive breakthroughs in our understanding of the microphysics governing planetary interiors. Numerous outstanding questions still remain, and experimental exploration alone is sometimes insufficient to fully capture the phenomena of interest.

Concurrently, density functional theory has demonstrated its capacity to model electron quantum behavior at a bearable computational cost, enabling exploration of complex systems across varied conditions. Numerical simulations have provided valuable predictions and explanations for astrophysical observations, while also offering critical insights into experimental conundrums. In this seminar, I will demonstrate how ab initio simulations can refine experimental interpretations while generating large-scale datasets for astrophysicists - effectively bridging the gap between microphysical understanding and its influence on astrophysical processes.

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https://xfel.zoom.us/j/65932093309?pwd=6bxJYIb0a6a4IR99Ub43F3IUYLgMJe.1

Meeting ID: 659 3209 3309
Passcode: 717887