The ionization degree and equation of state of dense xenon plasma were calculated by using self-consistent fluid variational theory for temperature of $4–30\mathrm{kK}$ and density of $0.01–8.5\mathrm{g}∕{\mathrm{cm}}^3$. The dense fluid xenon will be ionized at high pressures and temperatures. The ionization energy of xenon will be lowered due to the interactions among all particles of Xe, ${\mathrm{Xe}}^{+}$, ${\mathrm{Xe}}^{2+}$, and $e$. The ionization degree is obtained from nonideal ionization equilibrium, taking into account the correlative contributions to the chemical potential which is determined self-consistently by the free energy function. The composition of xenon has been calculated with given densities and temperatures in the region of partial ionization. The calculated results show a pressure softening regime at the onset of ionization. Comparison is performed with available shock-wave experiments and other theoretical calculations.

• Received 11 August 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.79.016409