Observation of metallic conductivity in liquid carbon

The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity of carbon at atmospheric pressure and temperatures up to and above the melting point at 4450 + or - 100 K is reported. Vapor-grown graphite fibers of different degrees of crystalline perfection were heated with 28-microsec electrical pulses. The transient reflectivity of graphite irradiated with picosecond laser pulses is also measured, and evidence is found for nonequilibrium heating. It is concluded that liquid carbon is metallic with a nearly temperature-independent electrical resistivity of 30 + or - 8 microohm cm. (Author)