Optical observations on xenon up to 63 GPa

Abstract

Xenon has been observed by optical methods up to 63 GPa in a diamond cell. At this pressure, its density is over 9.5 g/${\mathrm{cm}}^3$ and the optical dielectric constant has increased from 2 to 6. Nevertheless, it is still transparent and shows no metallic or semimetallic behavior, in contradiction with previous reports.