We present quantum molecular dynamics calculations of thermodynamic properties of expanded liquid tungsten. Experiments on shock compression of porous tungsten and its subsequent expansion into different anvil materials are successfully reproduced. Special attention is paid to available isobaric expansion experimental data and theoretical estimations of the critical point. Density on our first-principles 1 kbar isobar of liquid tungsten is slightly higher than in most wire-explosion experiments and the slope of the isobar is more flat. The dependence of the specific enthalpy on temperature is in good agreement with dynamic heating experimental data. A special Monte Carlo analysis has been applied for the estimation of the liquid-gas coexistence curve and critical point parameters of tungsten. The result is close to an estimation obtained with Likalter's similarity relation.

• Received 25 October 2017

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.97.024205