Transport coefficients for dense metal plasmas

Thermoelectric transport coefficients of metal plasmas are calculated within the linear response theory applied previously to determine the electrical conductivity of Al and Cu plasmas [R. Redmer, Phys. Rev. E 59, 1073 (1999)]. We consider temperatures of 1-3 eV and densities of 0.001-1 g/cm(3) as relevant in rapid wire evaporation experiments. The plasma composition is calculated considering higher ionization stages of atoms up to 5+, and solving the respective system of coupled mass action laws. Interactions between charged particles are treated on T matrix level. Results for the electrical conductivity of various metal plasmas are in reasonable agreement with experimental data. Thermal conductivity and thermopower are also given. In addition, we compare with experimental data for temperatures up to 25 eV and liquidlike densities.