2021
Fluid-like elastic response of superionic NH3 in Uranus and Neptune
H2O and NH3 are highly abundant in mantles of ice giant planets and may exist in the superionic state. Our Brillouin study suggest a new superionic phase for NH3 with comparable velocity to that of the liquid. It suggests that superionic NH3 is nonviscous and thus cannot contribute to the internal stratification and magnetic fields in icy planets.
by Sylvain Petitgirard